By Daisy CL Mandap
 |
| Ambasador Tony Morales is set to take over ConGen Bernie Catalla's HK post |
Philippine ambassador to Singapore, Antonio Morales, is set
to take over as the next consul general in Hong Kong.
This was according to outgoing Consul General Bernardita Catalla,
who told The SUN that Ambassador Morales’s nomination has already been endorsed
by the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila. He is now just waiting for the exequatur,
or a written official confirmation of his appointment, by the Hong Kong
government.
Congen Catalla herself is waiting for the agrement, or
approval by the Lebanese government of her appointment as the next Philippine
ambassador to the country.
Amba Tony, as he is fondly called by Filipinos in Singapore, will
be the first consul general in Hong Kong to have previously served as
ambassador in another country.
However, ConGen Catalla clarified that this does not indicate a
diminution in rank because one needs to be at least a career minister 2, an
ambassadorial level, to be assigned as head of post in Hong Kong.
A lawyer and veteran diplomat, Amba Tony appears to be highly
regarded by his colleagues in the foreign service, especially those who have
had the chance to work with him.
His consul general in Singapore, Victorio Dimagiba, Jr., described the ambassador in an email message
to The SUN as fair to his officers and
staff.
ConGen Dimagiba, whose first overseas posting was Hong Kong, also
said Amba Tony is a silent worker who gets things done.
“He cares for the comfort of our Pinoys in SG (Singapore) that he
pushed for the expansion of the consular area as well as introduced faster
means for our public to have a smoother transacting experience. He of course
led us to have the second highest turnout for the OAV in 2016, next only to
HK,” he said.
Further, ConGen Dimagiba said his ambassador makes an effort to
attend Filipino community events and has a healthy relationship with everyone.
“You will like him,” he said.
Another colleague who had the chance to work with him in San
Francisco described Amba Tony as “low key but magaling”.
Ambassador Morales, who is in his mid ‘50s, assumed his post as
head of mission in Singapore on May 29, 2014, and is expected to serve the
remaining part of his standard six-year overseas posting in Hong Kong.
Before being assigned to Singapore, he 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
previously assigned to Rome and Ankara.
At the home office, he 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 acting director at the Office of European
Affairs.
