President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has formally appointed Ambassador Willy C. Gaa ‘66 as Philippine Ambassador to the United States, Malacanang announced last August 9. In his weekly press conference that afternoon, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the appointment of Gaa was signed by the President recently together with those of five other officials in various government offices.
By virtue of Department of Foreign Affairs Assignment Order No. 311-06 signed by Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto G. Romulo last July 15, Ambassador Gaa had been assigned to the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. as Charge d’Affaires and Deputy Chief of Mission effective July 25. He arrived in Washington, D.C. from Los Angeles on July 26 and assumed his official duty on the same day. Prior to this current assignment, Ambassador Gaa served as Consul General of the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles.
Ambassador Gaa met with US State Officials on August 1. In the photo below are from left: Nathaniel “Chip” Dean, Philippine Country Officer; Angela Dickey, Director, Office of Maritime Southeast Asia, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs; Peter Hemsch, Philippine Country Officer; Minister Carlos “King” Sorreta ‘88, Philippine Embassy; Ambassador Willy C. Gaa ‘66; and Evan P. Garcia.
