Former ambassador Tomas Padilla passes away

MANILA, Philippines — Former ambassador Tomas delos Reyes Padilla has died, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced Friday.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announces with deep sorrow the demise of Ambassador Tomas delos Reyes Padilla today at the age of 86,” the DFA said in a statement.

Padilla’s career spanned five administrations — from President Carlos Garcia to President Fidel Ramos.

Padilla, son of former Supreme Court Justice Sabino Padilla and nephew of former Senator Ambrosio Padilla, topped the Foreign Service Officers examinations in 1956 and joined the DFA a year later.

He served as Philippine ambassador to the Republic of Korea from 1986 to 1990. He was also posted in Kobe, Peking, Madrid, Tokyo, Hong Kong, London, and Berne.

Padilla finished his diplomatic career as DFA Undersecretary for Administration, a position he held until his retirement in 1997.

In a tweet, DFA Acting Assistant Secretary for Public Diplomacy Elmer Cato extended the agency’s condolences to the bereaved family of the former Ambassador. /ee