PRRD names new envoys to Mexico, N. Zealand, WTO

Malacañang on Tuesday released the appointments of three new Philippine ambassadors to Mexico, New Zealand, and to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, Switzerland.

President Duterte signed the appointment papers of Manuel Antonio Javier Teehankee (WTO), Demetrio Remedios Tuason (Mexico), and Jesus Santos Domingo (New Zealand) on November 27, 2017.

Teehankee served as Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for International Economy and was the first appointee of Duterte at the DFA.

Domingo, on the other hand, is a career diplomat who once served at the Philippine Mission to the

United Nations in Geneva. Aside from New Zealand, he will have jurisdictions over the following countries: Cook Islands, Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa.

Lesser known among the three appointed diplomats is Tuason who is reportedly a US-based businessman and former executive of local firearms manufacturer, Armscor.

Tuason will replace Eduardo Jose De Vega who is said to be heading to Brussels as concurrent ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg and head of the Philippine Mission to the European Union, vice Victoria Bataclan.

Apart from Mexico, Tuason will also lead the country’s representations in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Dominican Republic and Cuba.

A DFA source told the Manila Bulletin both Teehankee and Tuason were allegedly recommended by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

As this developed, more movements are expected to occur at the DFA this month, including the appointment of a permanent spokesperson to replace Robespiere Bolivar.

Sources said Philippine Charge’d Affaires to Iraq Elmer Cato is being eyed as the next “mouthpiece”of the DFA vice Bolivar who is eyeing a foreign posting.

Another movement would reportedly involve Philippine Consul General to New York Maria Teresa Tuazon-De Vega, and Assistant Secretary Secretary Mei-Ann Austria.

A law graduate and career diplomat, Tuazon-De Vega is reportedly being groomed by DFA Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano to replace Austria as head of the American affairs office, while Austria is said to be heading to a significant posting in North America.