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MANILA, Philippines – US President Barack Obama has nominated Philip S. Goldberg as the next Ambassador to the Philippines, the White House said Tuesday, July 30 (US time).
The 57-year-old Goldberg was among 8 nominations made by Obama Tuesday for key government posts. Of the 8, at least 7 were for diplomatic posts.
He will replace Harry K. Thomas, who has been Washington’s envoy to Manila since April 2010.
Goldberg is “a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Career-Minister, is Assistant Secretary for Intelligence and Research at the Department of State, a position he has held since 2010,” the White House said.
Previously, he served as US Ambassador to Bolivia (2006-2008), and was Chief of Mission in Pristina, Kosovo (2005-2006).
He was also Charge d’Affaires and Deputy Chief of Mission at the US embassy in Santiago, Chile (2001-2004), and Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs (2001).
He also served as Special Assistant and then Executive Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of State (1996-2000) and Bosnia Desk Officer (1994-1996). Other postings brought him to the US embassies in Bogota, Colombia, and Pretoria, South Africa.
Prior to working at the US State Department, he was a Liaison Officer for the City of New York for the United Nations, the White House said.
Back in 2008, Goldberg and officials of the US Drug Enforcement Administration were expelled by Bolivian President Evo Morales after accusing them of taking part in a right-wing conspiracy against him. Washington reciprocated by kicking out the Bolivian ambassador to Washington.
In 2009, he was also the envoy in charge with implementing the North Korean sanctions imposed by the United Nations.
Other nominees
Aside from Goldberg, Obama nominated the following:
- Michael L. Connor – Deputy Secretary, Department of the Interior
- Robert Blake – Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia, Department of State
- Thomas Frederick Daughton – Ambassador to the Republic of Namibia, Department of State
- John L. Estrada – Ambassador to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Department of State
- Michael Stephen Hoza – Ambassador to the Republic of Cameroon, Department of State
- Noah Bryson Mamet – Ambassador to the Argentine Republic, Department of State
- Eunice S. Reddick – Ambassador to the Republic of Niger, Department of State
“I am grateful that these impressive individuals have chosen to dedicate their talents to serving the American people at this important time for our country. I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead,” Obama said, as quoted by the White House.
The US Senate has to confirm their appointments. – With reports from the Agence France-Presse/Rappler.com
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