President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has decided to retain seasoned diplomat Philippe Lhuillier as the country's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of Spain, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) bared.

File photo of President Marcos and Philippine Ambassador to Spain Philippe Lhuillier (Malacañang photo)

In a Facebook post on July 19, the PCO said Lhuillier would have concurrent jurisdiction over the Principality of Andorra and would have the salary and emoluments of a Chief of Mission, Class I.

This was the second time Marcos decided to keep Lhuillier as the country's envoy to Spain. In a tweet in July last year, Marcos said he chose to retain for the first time due to the diplomat's abilities.

"Tiyak kong kanyang gagampanan ng buong puso at igugugol ang kanyang husay para sa bansa (I'm sure that he will serve wholeheartedly and will devote his expertise for the country)," he had said.

Lhuillier was first appointed as the Philippine Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Spain by former president Rodrigo Duterte in 2017.

He graduated with a bachelor of science degree in management from De La Salle University, Manila. He received a diploma in gemology from the Gemology Institute of Antwerp in 1970 and the Gemology Institute of America in 1971.

Before his diplomatic service, he was chairman of the pawnshop chain Cebuana Lhuillier Pawnshop.

According to the website of the Philippine Embassy in Spain, Lhuillier was the first Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of San Marino.

He served as the Philippine Ambassador to the Italian Republic from 1999 to 2010, with concurrent jurisdiction over the Republic of San Marino and the Republic of Albania.

Italy awarded him with the Ordine Della Stella Della Solidarieta Italiana for his significant achievement in fostering goodwill between Italy and the Philippines. The order is bestowed through a decree issued by Italy's President upon the recommendation of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is the highest Italian award given to foreigners and Italians living abroad.

Other appointees

Malacañang also revealed the names of the new presidential appointees to different government agencies:

• Arturo Trinidad, Director II, Insurance Commission
• Moises Tamayo, Director II, National Bureau of Investigation
• William Quinto, Director III, Department of Energy
• Joselito Caballero, Director III, Department of Public Works and Highways
• Jesus Elpidio Atal Jr, Director IV, Department of Labor and Employment
• Vigor Mendoza II, Assistant Secretary, Land Transportation Office