Yabes, Conejos move up at DFA

President Benigno Aquino III has appointed the country’s ambassador to Pakistan as the next foreign undersecretary for migrant affairs, Malacañang announced over the weekend.

But Jesus Yabes won’t be taking over the post from Esteban Conejos Jr. until July 30. Conejos in turn has been named Philippine permanent representative to the World Trade Organization and recently received the nod of the Commission on Appointments.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte described Yabes as a career officer in the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

He has a master’s degree in public administration from the University of the Philippines where he earlier obtained an economics degree. Yabes served in many diplomatic posts, including as chief of mission at the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo and consul general at the Philippine missions in Hong Kong and China.

Valte meanwhile also announced the appointment of Amelia Guevarra as acting undersecretary at the Department of Science and Technology.

Guevarra used to be executive director of the DOST’s Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development.

Other appointments announced were those of Minnie Aquino as Register of Deeds 3 in the Land Registration Authority, Edgar Tabacon as Acting Director 3 in the Department of Public Works and Highways, and Fritzie Sanoria as a member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for the second district of Negros Oriental. Christine O. Avendaño