Berne, 10 April 2018 – Philippine Ambassador Denis Yap Lepatan presented his credentials to President and Federal Councillor Alain Berset as the new Philippine representative to the Swiss Confederation.
President Berset welcomed Ambassador Lepatan and congratulated him on his appointment as Philippine Ambassador to Switzerland.
Ambassador Denis Yap Lepatan presents his Letter of Credence to
Swiss President and Federal Councillor Alain Berset
Ambassador Lepatan expressed his desire to see the Philippines further advance its relations with Switzerland, following the successful celebration of the 60th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic relations last year, and with the bilateral relations getting off to a good start this year following the ratification of the Philippines-Switzerland Free Trade Agreement, and the visit of Science and Technology Undersecretary Rowena Guevara. He also informed President Berset of some positive developments in Philippines-Switzerland bilateral relations in 2018, including the 8th Bilateral Political Consultations proposed to be held in Berne in November, and the proposal to conduct the 3rd Joint Economic Commission (JEC) back-to-back with a Swiss Business Mission to Manila, also in November.
President Berset echoed Ambassador Lepatan’s desire to further strengthen bilateral relations between Switzerland and the Philippines. He noted the recent reforms in the Philippines, particularly on taxation and on fighting corruption, which he said are important to enticing Swiss companies to invest in the Philippines.
He also recalled the Swiss assistance to the Philippine peace process through its chairmanship of the Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC), and thanked the Philippines for its cooperation.
Ambassador Lepatan conveyed the Philippines’ appreciation for Switzerland’s support to the peace process in Mindanao and expressed the country’s desire to learn more from Switzerland in terms of the TJRC.
Photo: Swiss President Berset (left) and new Philippine Ambassador to Switzerland Lepatan (right)
exchange views on the developments in Philippine-Switzerland bilateral relations
President Berset congratulated the Philippines on its successful chairmanship of ASEAN last year, including the equally successful celebration of the 50th anniversary of ASEAN in Switzerland. He recognized the increasing importance of ASEAN to Switzerland, which has been a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of the Association for two years now.
Ambassador Lepatan thanked Switzerland’s support to the region as a sectoral dialogue partner and as an active partner in ASEM. He noted the upcoming ASEM Senior Officials Meeting in Zürich in May.
Ambassador Lepatan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Foreign Service from the University of the Philippines and a Master’s degree in International Public Policy from the School for Advance International Studies, Johns Hopkins University.
Prior to his posting in Switzerland, he served as Assistant Secretary for Policy Planning and Coordination at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila. He was previously posted twice as Deputy Permanent Representative at the Philippine Mission to the UN Office in Geneva, first from 1997 to 2003 and then from 2007 to 2014. He also held various positions in the Home Office, including as Senior Special Assistant to the Deputy Minister for Policy, and as Executive Director of the Maritime and Ocean Affairs Center and earlier, of the Office of American Affairs.
He served as Third Secretary at the Philippine Embassy in Rome and Alternate Permanent Representative to the Food and Agriculture Organization, and then as First Secretary at the Philippine Embassy in New Delhi.
Ambassador Lepatan is a recipient of the Gawad Mabini Award, with the Rank of Dakilang Kamanong (Grand Cross), the highest of said Award’s three ranks. END
