Colombia Honorary Consul Jorge L. Araneta and wife Stella hosted a small farewell dinner for US Ambassador Harry K. Thomas Jr. (HKT) and fiancée Mithi Aquino at the Bahay na Puti (White House) located at the Araneta compound in Quezon City.
Jorge Araneta asked the Ambassador if he would still be in Manila for President Barack Obama’s visit, but being a true career diplomat, HKT replied he would like to give the new US Ambassador the opportunity to take care of the Obama visit in October.
As Ambassador Thomas explained, the State Department rule now is that the current Ambassador is required to stay only until the new one is confirmed by the US Senate.