(KPL) In response to the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister cum Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith, Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Philippines Mr. Enrique A. Manalo, Spouse and delegation will pay an official visit to the Lao PDR, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Philippine Secretary will participate in the Second Meeting of the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) between the Lao PDR and the Republic of the Philippines between August 3 - 05 2023 to further strengthen the friendly relations and good cooperation between the two countries, the ministry said in its announcement on Monday. 

Enrique A. Manalo, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines

Seasoned career diplomat Ambassador Enrique A. Manalo took his oath of office before President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on 01 July 2022 as the new Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

President Marcos appointed Secretary Manalo in view of his long and distinguished career in the Philippine Foreign Service and his vast experience in diplomacy. President Marcos said he preferred a career diplomat at the helm of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for the Philippines to effectively advance its interests in the international stage in the face of formidable challenges.

During his more than four decades of service in the DFA, Secretary Manalo was appointed as Undersecretary for Policy twice. In this capacity, he was the principal adviser to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs in matters involving the country’s relations with the international community. As Undersecretary for Policy, Secretary Manalo also served as the Philippines’ Senior Official in the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting, which is the working level mechanism for ASEAN policy formulation and priority-setting.

Secretary Manalo is an expert in multilateral diplomacy, having served as the Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York immediately prior to being appointed as Secretary of Foreign Affairs. He was also the Philippine Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva.

He has held other notable positions, including Acting Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom and Belgium, Assistant Secretary for European Affairs, Minister Counselor and Deputy Permanent Representative in the Philippine Permanent Mission to the UN in New York, and First Secretary and Consul at the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC.

Secretary Manalo holds a Master of Arts and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics from the University of the Philippines, Diliman.

In recognition of his exceptional service to the country, he was awarded the Order of Lakandula with rank of Grand Cross (Bayani) in 2018, the Gawad Mabini with rank of Grand Cross (Dakilang Kamanong) in 2017, and the Order of Sikatuna with the rank of Grand Cross (Datu) in 2010.

He is married to Pamela Louise Hunt and has two sons. 

KPL