31 January 2006 – Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto G. Romulo today announced that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has appointed Atty. Esteban B. Conejos, Jr. as the new Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs, replacing Undersecretary Jose S. Brillantes who presented his Credentials as the new Philippine Ambassador to Canada on 13 December 2005.

President Arroyo signed Undersecretary Conejos’ appointment at Malacañan, after which Secretary Romulo administered the Oath of Office of the new Undersecretary at the DFA.   The Secretary then introduced him to the officers and staff of the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (OUMWA) headed by Executive Director Pedro O. Chan. (Please refer to the separate photo release on this subject.)

In introducing Undersecretary Conejos to OUMWA staff, Secretary Romulo stressed that “his appointment comes as good news for OUMWA, whose hardworking men and women serve at the frontline of the Department.”  Quoting from the President, the Secretary said that the appointment of Undersecretary Conejos truly makes the people in the DFA “the best and the brightest in Philippine government service.”

Undersecretary Conejos expressed his gratitude to the President and the Secretary for the “leap of faith they have taken” when he was chosen to be the new Undersecretary.  He then thanked the OUMWA officers and staff for the “warm welcome” they have shown, and said, “I hope that I can equal what my predecessors have done in this office.”

Undersecretary Conejos was born in Ormoc City on 8 August 1950, is married and has three children.  The curriculum vitae of Undersecretary Conejos follows:

Education:
· Master of Laws (1980), Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
· Bachelor of Laws (1974), Ateneo de Manila University College of Law
· Bachelor of Arts (1970), San Carlos Major Seminary, Cebu City
· Program for Senior Executives in National and International Security (August – September 2000, Harvard University, USA)

Government Service:
· Undersecretary for Operations, Department of National Defense (July 1998 – February 2001)
· Chairman of the Board, PHIVIDEC Industrial Authority (December 1998 – December 2001)
· Chief Legal Counsel, Presidential Commission on Good Government (1987)
· Special Assistant, Board of Governors, Development Bank of the Philippines (1983 – 1986)
· Chief Litigation Counsel, Philippine Ports Authority (1976 – 1978)

Private Sector:
· Private Law Practice (2001 – present)
· Vice-President and General Counsel, Mabuhay Holdings and Development Corp. (real estate development, shipping and port operations, 1996 – 1998)
· General Counsel, Magellan Utilities Development Corp. (energy development, 1994 – 1996)
· Associate Counsel, Salonga, Ordoñez, Yap Law Offices (1975 – 1977)

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