MANILA, 14 July 2026—Philippine Ambassador to Pakistan, H.E. Dr. Emmanuel R. Fernandez, paid courtesy calls on Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Maria Theresa P. Lazaro, Undersecretary Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega, Assistant Secretary for Asia-Pacific Affairs Marshall Louis M. Alferez, Assistant Secretary for Human Resources Management Marford M. Angeles, and DFA Chief Coordinator Ma. Antonina M. Oblena as part of his annual Home Office Consultations.

During the meetings, the Ambassador and the DFA officials exchanged views on a broad range of foreign policy, bilateral, and administrative matters concerning Philippine relations with Pakistan and the Embassy’s ongoing initiatives.

In his meeting with Asia-Pacific Affairs Assistant Secretary Alferez, Ambassador Fernandez discussed his priorities as incoming Chairman of the ASEAN Committee in Islamabad (ACI) for the second half of 2026. They also reviewed the status of the draft Memoranda of Understanding currently being exchanged by the relevant agencies of the Philippines and Pakistan following the convening of the Philippines–Pakistan Joint Economic Commission in February 2026. In addition, they discussed the trade and investment missions being organized by various Pakistani chambers of commerce and industry in coordination with the Philippine Embassy in Islamabad to further strengthen bilateral economic cooperation.

The Home Office Consultations provided an opportunity for the Ambassador to brief DFA leadership on developments in the Philippines-Pakistan bilateral relationship and to coordinate the Embassy’s priorities with the Department’s broader foreign policy objectives. END