The Philippine delegation with their hosts in front of the Government House. From left: Sam Gibbs, Head of Jersey London Office; Commercial Counsellor Michelle Sanchez; Consul General Senen Mangalile; Ambassador Lagdameo; Lady Anne Dalton; Sir Stephen Dalton; Major Justin Oldridge, Chief of Staff of the Lt. Governor; and First Secretary Kristine Salle.

24 May 2017 LONDON — Philippine Ambassador to the Court of St. James’s Antonio M. Lagdameo undertook his first official visit to the Bailiwick of Jersey from May 14 to 16.

Ambassador Lagdameo paid a courtesy call on H.E. Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, Lieutenant Governor of Jersey, at the Government House (the Queen’s official representative in the Bailiwick of Jersey) and had the opportunity to interface with Senator Andrew Kenneth Francis Green, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Health and Social Services; and Senator Sir Philip Bailhache, Minister for External Relations (also known as the Foreign Minister).

The Ambassador’s programme also included meetings with the Jersey Financial Regulatory Commission, Jersey Business, Jersey Digital, and Ministry of External Relations officials. A round-table discussion was held with Jersey businessmen looking to export their products to the Asia and the Philippines.

Ambassador Lagdameo also took the opportunity to engage with the Filipino community in Jersey, who work in the financial services and health services sectors.  There are an estimated 150 Filipinos living and working in Jersey. A consular outreach was held prior to the visit.

The Ambassador’s visit was meant to increase the profile of the Philippines in Jersey, as well as potentially explore areas for cooperation such as in investment and the financial services, education and tourism/culture.

The Bailiwick of Jersey, is a possession of the Crown in right of Jersey off the coast of Normandy, France. Jersey is a self-governing parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy, with its own financial, legal, and judicial systems, and the power of self-determination. The island of Jersey is the largest of the Channel Islands and has a separate relationship to the British Crown from the other Crown dependencies. It is not part of the United Kingdom and has an international identity separate from that of the UK but the UK is constitutionally responsible for the defense of Jersey. END