PBBM ends isolation, leads oath-taking of WTO envoy

Pagkatapos ng ating isolation period, tayo ay nakipag-usap kay Ambassador Manuel Antonio Teehankee at pinangunahan ang kanyang panunumpa bilang Philippine Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization. (Photo: Bongbong Marcos/Facebook)

MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. resumed his face-to-face activities on Friday, leading the oath-taking of Ambassador Manuel Antonio Teehankee as the Philippine Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Marcos shared on his official Facebook account the photos while administering the oath of office to Teehankee at Malacañang Palace in Manila.

“Pagkatapos ng ating isolation period, tayo ay nakipag-usap kay Ambassador Manuel Antonio Teehankee at pinangunahan ang kaniyang panunumpa bilang (After my isolation period, I had a dialogue with Ambassador Manuel Antonio Teehankee. I also led his oath-taking as) Philippine Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization,” Marcos posted.

In a separate Facebook post, Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM) said the oath-taking ceremony was held at the Palace Study Room.

“During the courtesy call, President Marcos Jr. received the report of Ambassador Teehankee on the outcome of the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference held at the WTO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland on June 12 to 17, 2022,” RTVM said.

Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez, Special Assistant to the President Secretary Antonio Lagdameo Jr., and Presidential Management Staff Secretary Maria Zenaida Angping, were also present during Teehankee’s courtesy call.

Marcos’ latest public engagement officially ended his mandatory seven-day isolation after acquiring the coronavirus disease 2019.

Teehankee held the same position under the administrations of Presidents Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Rodrigo Duterte.

In 2019, Teehankee was designated as chairperson of the Trade Policy Review Body (TPRB), a WTO body that oversees the implementation of the Trade Policy Review Mechanism.

The TPRB is the third highest body in the WTO hierarchy.

He likewise served as chairperson of the WTO’s Committee on Trade and Environment from 2007 to 2011.

A Bar topnotcher, Teehankee was formerly Justice undersecretary and government corporate counsel for the Philippine government.

In February 2012, he was awarded the Department of Foreign Affairs Distinguished Service Award for his diplomatic service to the country.