New PHL envoy presents credentials to Singaporean president

The Philippines' new ambassador to Singapore formally assumed his post after presenting his letter of credence to Singapore President Tony Tan Keng Yam on May 29, the Philippine embassy in Singapore said Monday.

In a statement, the embassy also said Ambassador Antonio Morales presented as well the Letter of Recall of his predecessor Minda Calaguian-Cruz.

Morales presented his credentials in a ceremony at the Istana, the official residence of the Singapore President.

During Morales' one-on-one meeting with Tan, he conveyed President Benigno Aquino III's best wishes for the Singapore leader and people.

He also recalled Tan’s state visit to the Philippines last month, and reiterated the Philippines’ gratitude for Singapore’s help to victims of super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

The new envoy likewise thanked Tan for Singapore’s hospitality to overseas Filipino workers there, and said he looks forward to "stronger economic relations between our two countries.”

For his part, Tan lauded the Filipino “bayanihan” spirit in rehabilitation efforts in Yolanda-devastated areas.

Tan also voiced appreciation for Singapore-based Filipinos' contribution to Singapore's economy and society.

"He said people-to-people exchanges underpin the friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries," the embassy said.

With Morales at the event were Minister and Consul General Alan Deniega and First Secretary and Consul Mersole Mellejor.

Before his new posting, Morales was deputy chief of mission at the Philippine Embassy in Beijing, and consul general in Milan, Italy and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

He served as deputy consul general in San Francisco and was assigned to Rome and Ankara.

Morales also served as special assistant at the Office of the Undersecretary for Ocean and Special Concerns, executive director at the Office of Consular Affairs, director at the Authentication Division of the Office of Consular Affairs and as acting director at the Office of European Affairs. — Joel Locsin/JDS, GMA News

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