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Tag: Roberto de Ocampo

De Ocampo, Lhuillier aspire for London post

Ambassador Evan P. Garcia presents his credentials to Mr Julian Evans, Vice-Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps and Director for Protocol at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office
Ambassador Evan P. Garcia presents his credentials to Mr Julian Evans, Vice-Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps and Director for Protocol at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office
London is one of the most coveted posts in foreign service, including for Philippine diplomats.

The Philippine is currently represented there by Evan Ralph Garcia, who assumed the post last May.

A career diplomat who had served in embassies in Washington D.C, Tokyo, and as Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Garcia was undersecretary for Policy before he was sent to the United Kingdom.

For career officers like Garcia, their foreign assignments last six years, then they return to the home office for three years’ service before they are sent out again. The six years can be in one foreign post or they can be assigned in two posts. A term of three years in a foreign post gives the ambassador time to learn about the host country and establish a network to strengthen relations with the Philippines. Of course, this is just the usual practice and can be changed by the powers- that- be. But less than three years in one post for an ambassador is a waste of money.

Salvador Panelo, who was spokesman of president-elect Rodrigo Duterte for a month, was said to desire to be ambassador to the Court of St. James. He has a new position now: presidential legal adviser.