During the ceremony, Ambassador Santos reiterated his commitment to further the bilateral relations between the Philippines and Qatar, and thanked Qatar for graciously hosting an estimated 200,000 Filipinos in Qatar who actively contribute to Qatar’s economy. He also conveyed the Philippine government’s appreciation for the clemency granted to 12 incarcerated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) during the recent Ramadan.

“It would also be an honor if President Benigno Aquino III could visit Qatar to reciprocate the successful visit to the Philippines of the Father Emir in 2012,” Ambassador Santos added. The Deputy Emir said that the Qatari government would work on officially conveying an invitation to President Aquino.

Ambassador Santos was accompanied during his presentation of credentials by Deputy Head of Mission Gonaranao B. Musor, Third Secretary and Vice Consul Kristine F. Bautista, and Cultural Attaché John Danilo G. Jiao.

Ambassador Santos is the sixth resident Philippine Ambassador to Qatar since diplomatic relations was established between the two countries on 05 May 1981. He was formerly the Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs and was previously posted to San Francisco, Singapore, and Kuwait. END