Yabes is new DFA usec for migrants, workers' affairs

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino has appointed Philippine Ambassador to Pakistan Jesus Yabes as foreign affairs undersecretary for Migrants and Workers’ Affairs effective July 30, replacing Esteban Conejos Jr. who was named permanent representative to the World Trade Organization.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Yabes is a career diplomat who served as assistant secretary of the Office of Legal Affairs before his posting to Pakistan.

He was also assistant secretary of the Office of Middle East and African Affairs (2008), Philippine consul general to Shanghai (2002 to 2007), ambassador to Singapore (1992 to 2002); deputy chief of mission, minister and consul general to Tokyo (1996 to 1999), among others.

He has degrees in economics, public administration and law from the University of the Philippines.

Aside from Yabes, the President also appointed Amelia Guevara as acting undersecretary of the Department of Science and Technology.

Last March, Department of Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo designated Guevara as officer-in-charge of the Office of the Undersecretary for Research and Development. The appointment of Guevara came after the early retirement of Dr. Graciano Yumul Jr., who served as DOST’s undersecretary for research and development from Jan. 26, 2006 to March 12 this year.

She served as executive director of the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development.

An accomplished administrator, educator and scientist, Guevara is a long-time associate of the DOST. She has been involved in various critical positions in the department as representative of the University of the Philippines to the Scientific Career Council, trustee of the Philippine Science High School, and Governing Council of the then Philippine Council for Advanced Science and Technology Research and Development during the period 2005 to 2011.

She was also a member of the external review committee of the then Philippine Council for Industry and Energy Research and Development and the immediate past vice president for academic affairs of the University of the Philippines System.

Lawyer Mimi Aquino-Santos was appointed as Register of Deeds 3 under the Land Registration Authority. She earned the Bachelor of Laws degree from Arellano University and AB Communication Arts degree from the University of the Philippines. She passed the Philippine Bar in 2008.