The history of the Republic of the Philippines and that of the Department of Foreign Affairs

(DFA) are intertwined. The important events marking the passage of the years at the
Department are also milestones in the rise of the Philippines as an independent nation.

Over one hundred years ago, the DFA had its auspicious beginnings when President Emilio
Aguinaldo appointed Apolinario Mabini as the Republic's first Secretary of Foreign Affairs on 23
June 1898, eleven days after the declaration of Philippine independence at Kawit, Cavite. The
DFA was among the first government departments created following the establishment of the
First Philippine Republic. Realizing the need for international recognition of the new
government, Aguinaldo assigned Mabini the difficult task of establishing diplomatic relations with
friendly countries. Members of the Hong Kong Junta, a group of Filipino exiles in Hong Kong,
served as the country's envoys for this purpose.

The Philippines underwent colonial rule under the United States from 1898 to 1946, and
Japanese occupation from 1942 to 1944. The country regained independence, including full
control of foreign affairs and diplomatic matters, on 4 July 1946. Commonwealth Act No. 732
was passed creating the Department of Foreign Affairs. Shortly thereafter, President Manuel
Roxas issued on September 16 of that year Executive Order No. 18 providing for the
organization and operation of the DFA and the Foreign Service. The main tasks of the DFA
then were to assist in post-war rehabilitation, formulate policies for investment promotion, and
establish diplomatic relations with other countries.

The DFA led in the conclusion of the RP-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty, as well as in the Laurel-
Langley Agreement, thus paving the way for a balanced yet robust trade and military relations
with the United States.

The DFA had a heyday during the post-war years, with its increased participation in the
international arena. It became a founding member of the United Nations and one of the drafters
of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It helped forge the General Agreement on Tariffs
and Trade (GATT). The country was also an early proponent of decolonization and global
disarmament. The Philippines' dynamic participation in global matters culminated in Carlos P.
Romulo's election as the first Asian President of the UN General Assembly in 1952. At that
time, the international environment began to change, requiring that new thrusts and priorities in
Philippine foreign policy be determined. During the Cold War era, against the backdrop of the
Korean War and rising communism in China, the Philippines pursued an increasing
internationalist foreign policy.

Realizing the importance of foreign relations, President Elpidio Quirino in June 1952 pushed for
the passage of the Foreign Service Act of 1952, embodied in Republic Act No. 708. During the
post-war period, the DFA focused on institution building, closer engagement with Asian
neighbors, and increasing Philippine global linkages. When he became Undersecretary of
Foreign Affairs under the Magsaysay Administration, Raul S. Manglapus instituted the Foreign
Service Officers Examinations to professionalize the foreign service and to upgrade the
recruitment and selection of new foreign service officers.

The Marcos years, from 1965 to 1986, were marked by policy innovations and then difficulties
brought about by the excesses of the martial law regime. President Ferdinand Marcos
redefined foreign policy as the safeguarding of territorial integrity and national dignity, and
emphasized increased regional cooperation and collaboration. He stressed "Asianness" and
pursued a policy of constructive unity and co-existence with other Asian states, regardless of
ideological persuasion. In 1967, the Philippines launched a new initiative to form a regional
association with other Southeast Asian countries called the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN). The Philippines also normalized economic and diplomatic ties with China
and the USSR, which President Marcos visited in 1975 and 1976, respectively. The Philippines
also opened embassies in the eastern bloc countries, as well as a separate mission to the
European Common Market in Brussels.

Throughout the 1970s, the DFA pursued the promotion of trade and investments, played an
active role in hosting international meetings, and participated in the meetings of the Non-Aligned
Movement. The Foreign Service Institute was created in 1976 to provide in-house training to
Foreign Service personnel.

The EDSA Revolution in 1986 saw the re-establishment of a democratic government under
President Corazon Aquino. During this period, the DFA once again pursued development
diplomacy, in the active pursuit of opportunities abroad in the vital areas of trade, investment,
finance, technology and aid. The Philippines became one of the founding members of the Asia-
Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in November 1989, and an active player in regional
efforts to establish the ASEAN Free Trade Area. In the 1990s, more diplomatic missions were
established in the Middle East to improve existing ties with Arab states and to respond to the
growing needs of Overseas Filipino workers in the region.

In 1991, heeding the growing nationalist sentiments among the public, the Philippine Senate
voted against the extension of the RP-U.S. Military Bases Agreement, thus putting to a close the
decades-old presence of the U.S. military at Subic Bay and Clark Field. Also in 1991, President
Aquino signed into law the new Foreign Service Act of 1991 (R.A. 7157), which reorganized the
Department along geographic lines and strengthened the Foreign Service. It instituted a Career
Minister Eligibility Examination as a requirement for promotion of senior FSOs to the rank of
Career Ministers, thereby ensuring the professional selection of those who would eventually rise
to the level of career ambassadors.

The Ramos administration from July 1992 to June 1998 defined the four core priorities of
Philippine foreign policy namely: the enhancement of national security, promotion of economic
diplomacy, protection of overseas Filipino workers and Filipino nationals abroad, and the
projection of a good image of the country abroad.
President Ramos boosted foreign trade, investments and official development assistance to the
Philippines through his state visits and summit meetings. In 1996, the Philippines successfully
hosted the APEC Leaders' Summit, which resulted in the Manila Action Plan for APEC 1996
(MAPA '96).

The Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995 (R.A. 8042) provided a framework for
stronger protection of Filipino workers abroad, with the creation of the Legal Assistance Fund
and the Assistance-to-Nationals Fund, and the designation in the DFA of a Legal Assistant for
Migrant Workers' Affairs, with the rank of Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs.

Among the other significant events in foreign affairs during the Ramos years were: the adoption
by ASEAN in 1992, upon Philippine initiative, of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the
South China Sea aimed at confidence-building and avoidance of conflict among claimant states;
the establishment of the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Philippines (BIMP)-East Asia Growth
area in 1994; the establishment of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in 1994 as the only
multilateral security dialogue in the Asia-Pacific region conducted at the government level; and
the signing between the Philippine Government and the Moro National Liberation Front on 2
September 1996 of the Mindanao Peace Agreement.

The DFA, during the Estrada administration, hosted the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in July
1998, and undertook confidence-building measures with China over the South China Sea
issue. President Estrada strengthened bilateral ties with neighboring countries with visits to
Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan and South Korea. The DFA played a major role
in the forging of a Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States, which was concurred in the
Senate in 1999. The country also sent a delegation of 108 observers to the Indonesian
parliamentary elections, and engaged in cooperative activities in the areas of security, defense,
combating transnational crimes, economy, culture, and the protection of OFWs and Filipinos
abroad.

At the start of its administration in 2001, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo pursued foreign
policy based on nine realities: (see Philippine Foreign Policy).

First, the dynamics of relations between China, Japan and the United States determine the
security situation and economic evolution of East Asia.

Second, Philippine foreign policy decisions are, increasingly, being made in the context of
the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Third, Europe will continue to play a significant role in promoting international prosperity and
stability.

Fourth, the international Islamic community remains crucial to the country's search for
lasting and permanent peace in Mindanao.
 Fifth, inter-regional organizations will become increasingly influential in the global context.

Sixth, the protection of the environment, natural resources and maritime territory.

Seventh, the drive for foreign markets and foreign direct investments will form a focal
concern of economic diplomacy efforts.

Eighth, international tourism will be a major driver of national growth.

Ninth, overseas Filipinos play a critical role in the country's economic and social stability.

The DFA is also guided by the three fundamental pillars of Philippine foreign policy. These
are:

1. Preservation and enhancement of national security;

2. Promotion and attainment of economic security;

3. Protection of the rights and promotion of the welfare and interest of Filipinos overseas.

As we enter the decade starting 2010, the DFA welcomes the challenges and opportunities it
will face in the service of the Filipino people in an increasingly globalized world.

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

Tel.: 551-0357; 834-4881; 834-4160
Fax: 832-1597
E-mail: osec@dfa.gov.ph; oseccoord@gmail.com
11th Floor
ALAN PETER S. CAYETANO
Secretary of Foreign Affairs
Leah B. Ruiz
834-3003, 834-3988
Chief Coordinator
Susana Maria L. Mendiola 834-4933
Special Assistant
Charmaine Serna-Chua
834-3436
Special Assistant
INTERNAL AUDIT SERVICE
Tel.: 832-1164
E-mail: ias@dfa.gov.ph
2nd Floor
Jocelyn S. Batoon-Garcia
834-4044, 834-4045
Assistant Secretary
Sahid S. Glang
834-4106
Executive Director
Giovanni E. Palec
834-4858
Director
DEPARTMENT LEGISLATIVE LIAISON UNIT
Tel.: 551-3126
Fax: 834-4088
E-mail: dllu@dfa.gov.ph
2nd Floor
Grace R. Princesa
834-4203
Assistant Secretary
Pete Raymond V. Delfin
834-4409
Deputy Legislative Liaison Officer
INTELLIGENCE AND SECURITY UNIT
Tel.: 831-8921
Fax: 833-1297
E-mail: ois@dfa.gov.ph
1st Floor
Rear Adm. Amable B. Tolentino (Ret.)
834-4733
Head
Ma. Agnes M. Cervantes
834-4677
Special Assistant
Raymund G. Toledo
834-3708
Director
OFFICE OF PUBLIC DIPLOMACY
Tel.: 832-1508
Fax No: 832-3307
E-mail: opd@dfa.gov.ph
 6th Floor
Robespierre L. Bolivar 834-3828
Acting DFA Spokesperson 834-4483
Charmaine Rowena C. Aviquivil
834-3409
Executive Director
DIVISION I - MEDIA AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Email: opd.div1@dfa.gov.ph
Geronimo C. Suliguin
834-3621
Acting Director
Stacy Danika S. Alcantara
834-3743
Principal Assistant
DIVISION II - STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS
Email: opd.div2@dfa.gov.ph
Maria Angelica C. Genotiva
834-4294
Acting Director
Thomas Philip C. Aquino
834-3622
Principal Asistant
OFFICE OF POLICY PLANNING AND COORDINATION
Tel.: 831-4505
Fax: 834-3480
E-mail: osppc@dfa.gov.ph
9th Floor
Denis Y. Lepatan
834-4328
Assistant Secretary
Ariel R. Pearanda
834-3931
Executive Director
DIVISION I PLANNING AND REVIEW
DIVISION IA - PLANNING
Grace Anne G. Bulos
834-3474
Acting Director
DIVISION II - MONITORING AND EVALUATION
Enrique Voltaire G. Pingol
834-3473
Concurrent Acting Director, Div. III-A
DIVISION III POLICY ADVISORY
DIVISION IIIA - INSTITUTIONAL POLICY DEVELOPMENT
Alena Grace S. Borra 834-3473
Acting Director
DIVISION IIIB FOREIGN POLICY ANALYSIS
Fernando V. Beup, Jr.
834-3470
Acting Director
UNDERSECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATION
Tel.: 832-3353 / 552-7028
Fax: 831-9584
E-mail: oua@dfa.gov.ph
12th Floor
Linglingay F. Lacanlale
834-3050
Undersecretary
Ma. Teresa L. Taguiang
834-4820
Senior Special Assistant
Al-Bari B. Macalawan
834-3063
Principal Assistant
Adrian G. Miras
834-3660
Principal Assistant
BOARD OF FOREIGN SERVICE ADMINISTRATION (BFSA) SECRETARIAT
E-mail: bfsa@dfa.gov.ph
Emmanuel Donato K. Guzman
834-4617
Special Assistant and Board Secretary
BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE
Maria Teresa C. Lepatan
834-4853 / 4621
Assistant Secretary, UA & BAC Chairperson
Adrian G. Miras
Head of BAC Secretariat 834-3660

UNDERSECRETARY FOR
INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC RELATIONS
Tel.: 834-3047
Fax: 834-1451
14 Floor Reception: 834-3018
th

E-mail: ouier@dfa.gov.ph
14th Floor
Manuel Antonio J. Teehankee 834-3047, 834-3455
Undersecretary (d.l. 834-3004)
Leo M. Herrera-Lim
834-3023
Senior Special Assistant
Jesusa Susana V. Paez
834-3627
Executive Director
Bojer B. Capati
834-3040
Principal Assistant
APEC NATIONAL SECRETARIAT apec.ouier@dfa.gov.ph
Vacant
Apec National Secretariat Director
Joyce Marison M. Camacho
834-3460
Principal Assistant Acting Director
Vacant
Principal Assistant
Vacant
Special Assistant
REGIONAL / BILATERAL ECONOMIC RELATIONS UNITedu.ouier@dfa.gov.ph
Vacant
Director
Mary Grace V. Villamayor
834-3033
Principal Assistant Acting Director
Ryan C. Pondoc
834-3019
Special Assistant
Vacant
Special Assistant
ECONOMIC RESEARCH eru.ouier@dfa.gov.ph / CULTURAL DIPLOMACY UNIT
(ERU/CDU)
Patricia V. Barrera
834-3017
Special Assistant, Acting Director, Head ERU
Maria Louella C. Duarte
834-3013
Special Assistant
WTO / MULTILATERAL ECONOMIC RELATIONS UNIT
Director
Vacant
Director
Vacant
Vacant
Principal Assistant
UNDERSECRETARY FOR MIGRANT WORKERS AFFAIRS
 Hotline: 834-4996
Fax: 551-0847
E-mail: oumwa.database@gmail.com
3rd Floor
Jesus I. Yabes
834-4449
Undersecretary
Ricardo M. Endaya
834-3245
Executive Director and Senior Special Assistant
Mohd. Noordin Pendosina N. Lomondot
834-4996
Special Assistant
Tanya Faye O. Ramiro
834-4582
Principal Assistant
Patricia C. Milla
834-4582
Principal Assistant
OFFICE OF MIGRANT WORKERS AFFAIRS
Reynaldo A. Catapang
834-4993
Assistant Secretary
Raul H. Dado
834-4685
Acting Executive Director
Maria Roseny B. Fangco
834-4005
Acting Director
UNDERSECRETARY FOR POLICY
Tel.: 551-6182
Fax: 832-0664
E-mail: oup@dfa.gov.ph
12th Floor
Enrique A. Manalo
834-3089
Undersecretary
Robespierre L. Bolivar
834-3009
Special Assistant
Shirley L. Flores
834-4624
Special Assistant
Ma. Antonina M. Mendoza-Oblena
834-3065
Special Assistant
Jonelle John S. Domingo
834-3068
Principal Assistant
BOARD OF FOREIGN SERVICE EXAMINATIONS (BFSE)
 Tel.: 551-5976
E-mail: bfse@dfa.gov.ph
2nd Floor
Claro S. Cristobal
834-3149
Board Secretary
Jed Martin A. Llona
834-4788
Assistant Board Secretary
MARITIME AND OCEAN AFFAIRS OFFICE (MOAO)
Tel.: 834-4052
Fax: 831-4767
E-mail: moao@dfa.gov.ph
2nd Floor
Lourdes O. Yparraguirre
834-3281
Assistant Secretary
Maria Lourdes B. Montero
834-3081
Acting Executive Director
Manuel C. Ayap
834-3177
Principal Assistant
DIVISION I WEST PHILIPPINE SEA AND MARITIME
JURISDICTION Email: moao.div1@dfa.gov.ph
DIVISION II OCEAN GOVERNANCE, SHIPPING AND SEAFARING Email:
moao div2@dfa.gov.ph
Rogelio E. Villanueva, Jr.
834-4869
Acting Director
UNDERSECRETARY FOR CIVILIAN SECURITY
AND CONSULAR CONCERNS
Tel.: 833-1626
Fax: 832-8364
Email: oucscc@dfa.gov.ph
6th Floor
Ariel Y. Abadilla
834-4936
Undersecretary
Alex V. Lamadrid
834-4992
Senior Special Assistant
Roy B. Ecraela
834-4930
Special Assistant
Edward C. Yulo
834-3938
Special Assistant
Winston Dean S. Almeda
834-3138
Special Assistant
OVERSEAS ABSENTEE VOTING SECRETARIAT
Tel. 833-0914
Fax: 833-0915
E-mail: secretariat.oav@gmail.com
6th Floor
Ariel Y. Abadilla
834-4936
Chairman
Edgardo O. Castro
834-3451
Acting Vice Chairman
OFFICE OF AMERICAN AFFAIRS
Tel.: 831-0141
Fax: 831-8894
E-mail: oaa@dfa.gov.ph
7th Floor
Maria Andrelita S. Austria
834-3954
Assistant Secretary
Marshall Louis M. Alferez
834-4085
Executive Director
DIVISION I UNITED STATES
Ma. Corina A. Reyes
834-3127
Acting Director
Barbie Jane L. Rosales
834-3698
Principal Assistant
DIVISION II CANADA
Arlene T. Magno
834-4110
Director
DIVISION III - MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICA
Dennis John C. Briones
834-3345
Acting Director
DIVISION IV SOUTH AMERICA AND MULTILATERAL AFFAIRS
Edward D. Chan
834-3117
Principal Assistant
OFFICE OF ASEAN AFFAIRS
Tel.: 834-3164
Fax: 832-1667
E-mail: asean.philippines@dfa.gov.ph
 8th Floor
Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega
834-7127
Assistant Secretary
Zaldy B. Patron
834-4121
Executive Director
DIVISION I - Summitries and ACC
E-mail: asean.philippines.div1@dfa.gov.ph
Dinno M. Oblena
834-3949
Director
Charles Andrei P. Macaspac
834-3522
Assistant Director for AICHR
Michael Lyndon B. Garcia
834-4152
Assistant Director for OSOSM
DIVISION II ASEAN Political Security Community (APSC)
E-mail: asean.philippines.div2@dfa.gov.ph
Tel.: 834-4122
Edgar B. Badajos
834-3545
Director
Anwar M. Ito
834-4122
Principal Assistant
Venince Allen V. Carillo
834-4122
Principal Assistant
DIVISION III ASEAN Economic Community (AEC)
E-mail: asean.philippines.div3@dfa.gov.ph
Porfirio M. Mayo, Jr.
834-4589
Director
Emmylou B. Felimer
834-4589
Principal Assistant
DIVISION IV ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC)
E-mail: asean.philippines.div4@dfa.gov.ph
Aian A. Caringal
834-4130
Director
Alfred Kristoffer A. Guiang
834-3193
Principal Assistant
DIVISION V EXTERNAL RELATIONS
E-mail: asean.philippines.div5@dfa.gov.ph
Flerida Ann Camille P. Mayo
Director 834-3668

Jose Santiago F. Olaguera

834-3079
Principal Assistant
OFFICE OF ASIA & PACIFIC AFFAIRS
Tel.: 831-8948
Fax: 833-3998
E-mail: aspac@dfa.gov.ph
8th Floor
Millicent Cruz-Paredes
834-4776
Assistant Secretary
Evangeline T. Ong Jimenez-Ducrocq
834-3261
Executive Director
DIVISION I NORTH ASIA (China, Hongkong SAR, Macau, Mongolia)
E-mail: aspac.north@dfa.gov.ph
Robert O. Ferrer
834-4126
Director
Jet C. Olfato
834-4695
Principal Assistant
Beatriz Alexandra G. Martinez
834-3239
Principal Assistant
DIVISION II NORTHEAST ASIA (Japan, South and North Korea)
E-mail: aspac.nea@dfa.gov.ph
Bolivar L. Bao
834-4384
Acting Director
Mark Dominic E. Lim
834-4691
Principal Assistant
DIVISION III A SOUTHEAST ASIA I (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar,
Vietnam)
E-mail: aspac.sea1@dfa.gov.ph
Emilio T. Fernandez
834-4991
Executive Director
Feamor Vyn S. Tiosen
834-4904
Principal Assistant
DIVISION III B SOUTHEAST ASIA II (Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Timor-Leste)
E-mail: aspac.sea2@dfa.gov.ph
Bryan Jess T. Baguio 834-3254
Acting Director
Anthony S. Aguirre
834-3168
Principal Asssistant
DIVISION IV SOUTH ASIA (Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives,
Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyztan and Tajikistan)
E-mail: aspac.south@dfa.gov.ph - 834-3416
Rona Beth G. Goce
Acting Director 834-3266

DIVISION V PACIFIC (Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Palau, Fili, Samoa,
Tonga, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Marshall Island, Solomon Island, Kiribati,
New Celedonia, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Nauru and Pacific Island Forum)
E-mail: aspac.pacific@dfa.gov.ph
Bryan Jess T. Baguio
834-3254
Acting Director & Concurrent Acting Dir Div IIIB
Anthony S. Aguirre
834-3168
Principal Assistant
OFFICE OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS
Trunkline: 556-0000
Local 2000 /
Frank R. Cimafranca
836-7745
Assistant Secretary
Telefax: 836-7764
Angelica S. Escalona Local 2858/
Executive Director 836-7747
Mina Angeles L. Ganzon
Local 2165
Principal Assistant
Mark Hanzel H. Lao
Local 2003
Principal Assistant
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES UNIT (A.S.U.)
Tel.: 651-9434 / Telefax: 836-7746
REGIONAL CONSULAR OFFICE COORDINATING CENTER (RCOCC)
Tel.: 651-9436 / Fax No.: 836-7749
COURTESY LANE
Tel.: 651-9417 / Telefax: 836-7760
DIPLOMATIC AND OFFICIAL PASSPORT SECTION (DOPS)
Tel.: 651-9419 / Telefax: 836-7765
FOREIGN SERVICE POST COORDINATING CENTER (FSPCC)
Tel.: 836-7748
 VISA DIVISION
836-7763 / 6519-424
Ryan Francis D. Gener
836-7763
Acting Director
AUTHENTICATION DIVISION
478-8434
Judy Barbara G. Robianes
Local 2108
Acting Director
CONSULAR RECORDS DIVISION (CRD)
836-7744
Ria E. Gorospe
Local 2291
Acting Director
PASSPORT DIVISION
651-9430
Ricarte B. Abejuela, III
Local 2227
Acting Director
Sheila Mae A. Briones
Principal Assistant