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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos meets four new non-resident ambassadors

Marcos meets four new non-resident ambassadors

Published Aug 5, 2026 03:23 pm
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. welcomes the non-resident ambassadors of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Dominican Republic, Republic of The Gambia, and Gabonese Republic in Malacañan Palace on Aug. 4, 2026. (PCO)
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. welcomes the non-resident ambassadors of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Dominican Republic, Republic of The Gambia, and Gabonese Republic in Malacañan Palace on Aug. 4, 2026. (PCO)
President Marcos has welcomed the non-resident ambassadors of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Dominican Republic, Republic of The Gambia, and Gabonese Republic as they begin their tour of duty in the country.
Marcos recently met the ambassadors in Malacañang during their presentation of credentials.
Among those who presented their letters of credence on Tuesday, Aug. 4, were Ambassadors-Designate Retselisitsoe Theko of the Kingdom of Lesotho; Reinaldo Rafael Espinal of Dominican Republic; Masanneh Nyuku Kinteh of Republic of The Gambia; and Landry Mboumba of Gabonese Republic.
In receiving Ambassador Theko, the President said he looks forward to expanding cooperation with the South African kingdom in education, technical training, healthcare, skills development, trade, investment, tourism and multilateral cooperation.
“I look forward to examining those and exploring those (areas of cooperation) with you and to find ways to bring our countries closer to the mutual benefit of all,” Marcos said.
Ambassador Theko, for his part, said the Philippines and Lesotho share a commitment to implement international cooperation, peaceful development and the advancement of their people.
Lesotho, he said, sees potential for closer engagement in trade, investment, tourism and multilateral cooperation, and advancing the shared interests of developing countries.
The ambassador promised to work diligently to deepen the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two countries and to promote partnership that brings tangible benefit to both nations.
The President likewise expressed hope to work closely with the Republic of the Gambia to deepen cooperation in areas of mutual interest, particularly in agriculture, education, trade, tourism, and investment.
"And I hope that the sectors that you mentioned are areas that we can examine and explore to further foster the closeness and the deepening of our relationship between our two countries," the President told the African non-resident ambassador.
In welcoming the Dominican Republic ambassador, the President said he hopes the tenure of Ambassador Espinal in the Philippines would be fruitful and productive for the benefit of the two nations. 

Marcos welcomes Japanese lawmaker, cites expanding PH-Japan ties

The President also met with Fujita Fumitake, a member of Japan's House of Representatives and Co-representative of the Japan Innovation Party (JIP), during a courtesy call at Malacañang on Monday, Aug. 3.
During the meeting, Marcos thanked Fujita for visiting the Philippines, noting the increasing frequency and breadth of engagements between the two countries.
“Despite not being able to meet with you during our trip to Japan, you were able to come and be with us. Thank you very much. Japan has always been an important partner in the Philippine economic development ever since we have established our diplomatic relations, which has now expanded to every other areas of cooperation,” the President said.
Fujita was in Manila from August 2 to 4.
The Japan Innovation Party, a center-right and reform-oriented political party, serves as the junior coalition partner of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
The party's policy priorities are closely aligned with the Philippines-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, particularly in maritime and defense cooperation, supply chain resilience, and the promotion of a rules-based Indo-Pacific.
Fujita had earlier requested a courtesy call on Marcos during the latter's State Visit to Japan from May 26 to 29, 2026, but the meeting could not be accommodated due to scheduling constraints.
The visit comes as the Philippines and Japan commemorate the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations and the 15th anniversary of their Strengthened Strategic Partnership, established in 2011.
During their meeting, Marcos also reaffirmied the comprehensive strategic partnership between the Philippines and Japan.

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President Marcos Ambassador Lesotho Dominican Republic Gambia Gabon
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