President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) director Filemon Ruiz as the new Bureau of Customs (BOC) acting commissioner, and retained veteran diplomat Philippe Jones Lhuillier as the country’s ambassador to Spain.
Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said Ruiz would take over the position previously occupied by Rey Guerrero.
She said Ruiz took his oath before President Marcos in Malacañang on Wednesday, July 20.
On the other hand, the President said he recognizes the excellent performance of Lhuillier so he is keeping him as the country’s envoy to Spain.
“We recognize the excellence of Mr. Philippe Lhuillier, which is why we reappointed him. I am sure that he will fulfill his role wholeheartedly and will give his expertise for the country,” the President said.
Lhuiller has also served as Philippine Ambassador to Italy from 1999 to 2010 and Portugal from 2012 to 2016 before being appointed as the country’s envoy to Spain in 2017.
He was awarded the Ordine Della Stella Della Solidarieta Italiana for his significant achievement in fostering goodwill between Italy and the Philippines, the highest Italian award given to foreigners as well as Italians living abroad, a fact sheet from the Philippine embassy in Spain said.
Lhuillier is a graduate of De La Salle University – Manila and speaks fluent Spanish and French. Vito Barcelo and Vince Lopez