Philippine envoy to UAE retires after a productive stint

Constancio Vingno Jr. with wife Yoko and son Chase

Philippine ambassador to the UAE Constancio Vingno Jr. celebrated his 65th birthday on Friday - also his official retirement date.
Looking forward to returning to his home country in a few months after serving for 43 years abroad for the Philippine government in various capacities, Vingno tells Khaleej Times that his tenure as the top Filipino diplomat in the UAE has been the most challenging yet one of the most productive in his public service.
"Time flew so fast that I felt it was just yesterday when I came to the UAE," he said. "My job has been very challenging and overwhelming because of the sheer number of Filipinos under our watch and our limited staff and resources," added Vingno, who took the post in October 2015 after serving as Philippine ambassador to South Africa and assistant secretary at the Department of Foreign Affairs' legislative liaison unit in Manila.
In his two years in the UAE, Vingno considers the two landmark agreements signed between the UAE and the Philippines as his main accomplishments. "One is the memorandum of understanding (MoU) creating a joint committee for cooperation between the UAE and the Philippines, in January this year. The other is the MoU on labour cooperation signed in September, promoting adequate protection to overseas Filipino workers in the UAE. It is a landmark agreement as it will not only protect domestic workers in the country, but also help curb human trafficking." In terms of assistance to Filipino nationals, according to Vingno, the embassy has worked for the repatriation of around 900 distressed overseas Filipino workers this year.
The most important case the embassy has handled is the acquittal of Filipina domestic worker Jennifer Dalquez, who was initially handed down a death sentence for killing her Emirati employer in December 2014 in self-defence. "She will go home and be with her family next year after an Al Ain court reduced the sentence to five years in prison," added Vingno.
As he leaves the UAE, Vingno said the things he would miss most are the rapport and bond with the community that he has forged. But retirement doesn't mean Vingno will slow down. He will just go back to his 'first love' which is music. More importantly, he said, he will have more time to spend with his lovely wife, Yoko Ramos, and their seven children, particularly their youngest son, nine-year-old Constancio Chase IV.
angel@khaleejtimes.com

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