Romualdez reappointed as Philippine envoy to US

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has reappointed Jose Manuel Romualdez as Philippine Ambassador to the United States.

Romualdez, 74, who served as envoy to the key diplomatic post under former president Rodrigo Duterte, "has been asked to stay on by the new president to continue the work he has been doing in Washington, DC," according to a statement on Wednesday from his office.

The reappointment of Romualdez, a second cousin of Marcos,  will provide the country a veteran envoy, who has been representing the Philippines in the US since July 2017 and has a vast diplomatic and political network and understanding of the ins and outs of the country's long-time treaty ally.

Marcos also has pending legal issues in the US.

As envoy to the US, Romualdez will still have concurrent jurisdiction over the Commonwealth of Jamaica, Republic of Haiti, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and Grenadines and Saint Lucia.

Romualdez, who spearheaded efforts to secure millions of US vaccines at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and facilitated the return of the historic Balangiga Bells, was conferred with the highest national merit for diplomats by Duterte in 2021.

He was conferred the Order of Sikatuna, Rank of Datu, Gold Distinction in recognition of his efforts in strengthening the long-standing comprehensive and thriving ties between the Philippines and the US.

Romualdez is noted for leading the negotiations for the successful return of the seized Balangiga bells to the Philippines after more than a century.

For many years, Manila has repeatedly asked Washington, its long-time defense ally, to have those bells -- taken by American troops at a church in Eastern Samar as war booties during the Philippine-American war --returned. The US government, however, was non-committal.

In December 15, 2018, the bells were finally returned to the Balangiga Church.

Romualdez also played a key role in the procurement of 20 million doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, significantly contributing to the Philippine government’s pandemic response efforts.

Amid maritime disputes with China in the West Philippine Sea, Romualdez pushed for an enhanced Philippines-US alliance through defense and security cooperation, particularly in maritime security and the upgrading of Philippine defense capabilities.

During his stint in the US, Romualdez also pushed for stronger trade and investments between Manila and Washington and paved the way for the entry of American firm SBA Communications to improve the Philippines' telecommunications technology backbone.

Just recently, the US-Philippines Society also honored the diplomat with the Carlos P. Romulo Award for his “superior diplomatic service” and for being “a tireless and effective advocate for deepening strategic and economic engagement between the Philippines and the United States.” —KBK, GMA News