Welcome Luncheon for Secretary Enrique Manalo and Delegation

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Delegation to the 78th UNGA

Photo above: l-r: Dr. Carlos Cuéllar (URC), Roberto Llames (Enterprise Solutions), John Michael De Carlo (IBM), Consul General of New York Senen T. Mangalile, Ambassador John F. Maisto, Secretary Enrique A. Manalo, Ambassador Antonio Lagdameo (Permanent Representative to the UN), Undersecretary Maria Theresa Lazaro, Ambassador Thomas C. Hubbard (McLarty Associates), Craig Hall (Chevron), and Executive Director Hank Hendrickson.

The US-Philippines Society hosted a luncheon meeting September 20 in New York City for Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo, who is leading the Philippine delegation to the 2023 United Nations General Assembly. Ambassadors Thomas C. Hubbard and Society President John F. Maisto welcomed SFA Manalo and key members of his team in a productive exchange of views on UNGA and bilateral matters. Private sector members of the USPHS board used the occasion to raise company-specific issues aimed at strengthening business and investment in the Philippines.

Key priorities for the Philippines at this year’s UNGA include strengthening respect for international law, action on Climate Change, a commitment to multilateralism in addressing global issues, and expanding partnerships, according to the Secretary. On the PH-US bilateral relationship, SFA Manalo said the Philippines wants to ensure ties are not focused solely on meeting defense challenges, but are more broadly grounded to include economic cooperation, energy development, advances in public health, and resilience-building, among others.

Joining SFA Manalo were DFA Undersecretary Ms. Theresa P. Lazaro, Special Assistant Andrea L. Lazaro, Consul General in New York Senen T. Mangalile, and U.N. Permanent Representative Ambassador Antonio M. Lagdameo.

In addition to Ambassadors Hubbard and Maisto, USPHS members included Dr. Carlos Cuéllar (URC), Craig Hall (Chevron), John Michael De Carlo (IBM), Roberto Llames (Enterprise Solutions), and Hank Hendrickson (Executive Director).