By Genalyn Kabiling
President Duterte has appointed a new batch of government officials, including two career diplomats as the country's ambassadors to Germany and Denmark.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (SIMEON CELI JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Enrique Manalo has been designated new Philippine ambassador to Germany while Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Leo Herrera-Lim is the country's ambassador to Denmark.
Manalo, a seasoned career diplomat, served as acting Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) when then-Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. was rejected by the Commission on Appointments last year.
Manalo, an economics graduate from the University of the Philippines, also previously held other ambassadorial posts in United Kingdom, Belgium, and Luxembourg. He was also the country's permanent representative to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, Switzerland.
Herrera-Lim, on the other hand, previously worked as Philippine Consul General in Los Angeles, Chicago, and London. He was also appointed as Second Secretary and Consul at the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC.
The appointment papers were signed by the President early this week.
Also appointed by the President were Robert Eric Borje as Chief of Protocol and Presidential Assistant on Foreign Affairs, Office of the President (OP); Napoleon Taas, Chief Financial Officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines; Concepcion Quimson, OP Assistant Secretary; and, Pircelyn Pialago as Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) spokesperson with rank of Assistant Secretary.
Other appointees are Noe Quiñanola, chair of the Professional Regulatory Board of Accountancy; Ofelia Binag, chair of Professional Regulatory Board of Real Estate Service; Zyril Carlos, member of DBP Leasing Corp. board; Michael Pabalinas, Director IV of Governance Commission for Government -Owned or -Controlled Corporations; Rhea Peñaflor, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development; and Victor Del Rosario, National Youth Commission commissioner representing Visayas.
Duterte also named D. Guilmar Vidanes, Asian Productivity Organization Production Unit Inc., board member; Andres Narvasa Jr., United Coconut Planters Bank board member; Richard Thomas Joson, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority board member representing tourism enterprises; Poppert Bernadas, Film Development Council of the Philippines' Cinema Evaluation Board member; Alexis Lagtapon, Presidential Legislative Liaison Officer II.
The list also includes Paulina Suaco-Juan, member of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions Inc. board; Zaldy Arenas, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer 1; Silverio Castillo and Ramon Banta, members of Department of Finance's Central Board of Assessment Appeals; Jamalliah Disomimba, Director IV of the Department of Finance; Annray Rivera, Deputy Executive Director III of the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority; Francis Fernando, Director II of the Insurance Commission; and Irene Dumlao, Director III of the Department of Social Welfare and Development;
The four new Bureau of Internal Revenue Directors II are Janette Cruz, Ma. Gracia Javier, Sarah Mopia, and Clavelina Nacar. Appointed BIR Directors I are Mary Jane Asuncino, Eric Diesto, Lorna Tobias, Joseph Catapia and Florante Aninag.