Cuisia named envoy to US

MANILA, Philippines - Former Central Bank governor Jose Cuisia Jr. is the country’s new ambassador to the United States.

Informed Palace sources told The STAR that President Aquino signed his appointment papers yesterday to replace outgoing Ambassador Willy Gaa.

“I’m excited about it,” said Cuisia, who served during the administration of the President’s mother.

Friends of the newly appointed envoy said he accepted the post because “he wants to serve.”

Cuisia was Central Bank governor and chairman of the Monetary Board from 1990 to 1993, and concurrently chairman of thr Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp.

Prior to that, he was administrator and CEO of the Social Security System and chairman of Union Bank of the Philippines.

He is most associated with Philam Life, which he served as president and CEO for many years.

In September 2005, Cuisia was honored as the Insurance Personality of the Year at the 9th Asia Insurance Industry Awards in Singapore, the only Filipino to receive the award, which is given by two of the most prestigious industry publications, the Singapore-based Asia Insurance Review and the London-based The Review Worldwide Reinsurance.

He was cited for his exceptional leadership of Philam Life and for significant reforms in the insurance industry.