TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Philippines envoy Silvestre Bello III will step down as chair of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) in Taipei.
Bello has served as Manila’s top representative in Taiwan since June 2022. He will be replaced by former Secretary of Presidential Communications Cheloy Garafil, who was transferred to Taiwan in early September after serving two years as press secretary, reported the Inquirer.
Bello previously served as the secretary of labor and employment under former President Rodrigo Duterte. He developed a good reputation among Filipinos in Taiwan for being attentive to their concerns and for his efforts to ensure the welfare of Filipinos working in Taiwan.
In response to news that Bello will be stepping down, the Federation of Filipino Communities in Taiwan released a statement praising his leadership over the past two years.
MECO released a statement on Sunday (Sept. 29), stating that they will appoint Garafil to lead the Philippines' de facto embassy in Taiwan at the behest of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who personally nominated Garafil.
Before her work in government, Garafil worked as a journalist and lawyer. Reports indicated that she has previous work experience in Taiwan, having been employed by the Central News Agency (CNA).
