His first appointment was soon after the EDSA Revolution in 1986, by then President Corazon Aquino. He was to represent the country as Ambassador to Singapore. Seven years later, under President Fidel V. Ramos, he was appointed as the country's Ambassador to Korea from 1993 to 1995. In 1996, still under the Ramos administration, he was appointed as Ambassador to Brazil with concurrent accreditation to Colombia, Venezuela, and Suriname.
When H.E. Joseph Estrada assumed the presidency in 1998, Mr. Benedicto was tasked with more diplomatic challenges as the newly appointed Ambassador to Canada. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo retained Mr. Benedicto as Canadian Ambassador until 2005.
In one of his trips between Cebu and Manila, we managed to catch him recently for some tête-à-tête. Here are excerpts of our conversation:
What was your childhood like? I come from a relatively poor family in Cebu and I had conservative, hard working parents. Fond of outings and outdoor sports, I was a regular student, but I can say that I was full of ambition.
Describe your most memorable/significant diplomatic posting. ALL MY DIPLOMATIC POSTINGS WERE EQUALLY MEMORABLE AND CHALLENGING FOR THEY AFFORDED ME A LOT OF UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE OUR COUNTRY AND PEOPLE. I WAS ABLE TO PROMOTE BILATERAL TRADE AND INVESTMENTS AND I PLACED SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON LOOKING AFTER THE WELFARE OF THE FILIPINO COMMUNITIES IN MY COUNTRIES OF ASSIGNMENT.
What do you consider your greatest achievement, thus far? I AM GRATEFUL THAT, IN MY DIFFERENT POSTINGS, I WAS ABLE TO PROMOTE CLOSER TIES AMONG THE MEMBERS OF THE VARIOUS FILIPINO COMMUNITIES. I GAVE PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO PROMOTING FRIENDSHIP, COOPERATION, AND CAMARADERIE AMONG OVERSEAS FILIPINOS THROUGH VARIOUS ACTIVITIES, WHICH FACILITATED CLOSER INTERACTION AND COOPERATION WITHIN THESE COMMUNITIES. I ALSO INITIATED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PHILIPPINE CENTERS FOR OVERSEAS FILIPINOS, WHICH COULD BE USED FOR VARIOUS MEETINGS AND OTHER SOCIAL ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMUNITY.
Whom do you consider your greatest influence?
MY PARENTS HAVE ALWAYS INSPIRED ME TO LEAD A SIMPLE AND DISCIPLINED LIFE - ONE STEEPED IN HARD WORK, WHETHER IT BE MENTAL OR MANUAL. THEY ALSO INSTILLED IN ME A RIGHTEOUS FEAR OF THE LORD ALMIGHTY, AS WELL AS LOVE AND CONCERN FOR OTHERS.
If you were not a diplomat, what would you be doing instead?
Before I was appointed as Ambassador to Singapore in 1986, I was actively involved in our family business. If I did not become a diplomat, I would have remained in private business and I would still be active in civic and business organizations, religious and community activities, as well as charitable endeavors.
What do you like the most about being a diplomat?
That it has afforded me many opportunities to represent our country abroad, to showcase the best in our country and people. More than that, it rendered me the opportunity to help our kababayans overseas, which I found most rewarding in the diplomatic service.
How would you depict Philippine relations with the rest of Asia? Europe? US? Canada?
We enjoy strong and productive relationships with other countries. There are, of course, certain bilateral issues that may, on certain occasions, become irritants to bilateral relationships with individual countries but that is what diplomacy is there for: to find solutions to these issues through dialogue and cooperation.
What are your views on the state of the nation at present?
The economists have a fair and positive forecast of our nation's future. The progress of our country depends largely on our people's ability to seize opportunities and maximize our potentials.
Please tell us about your current position as Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs. As Undersecretary, I am tasked primarily to assist in the preparations for the ASEAN and East Asia Summit in December 2006, as well as related meetings and conferences. I also perform such other functions as may be assigned by the President or the Secretary of Foreign Affairs particularly in the promotion of trade, investment and tourism.
What do you do on your leisure time?
Leisure time is elusive. I spend as much of my free time with my family. I also do some reading, especially on international developments. If time permits, I attend get-together parties with friends and enjoy interesting, fruitful conversations.
(Many thanks to Haidee Benedicto for arranging the interview with her father.)