Philippines
Jose L. Cuisia Jr. became ambassador of the Philippines to the United States on July 7, 2011 having previously served as commissioner (representing the Employer’s Group) of the Social Security System from September to December 2010.
In addition, Ambassador Cuisia was governor of the Central Bank and chairman of the Monetary Board while concurrently serving as chairman of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) Board from 1990 to 1993. He was also president and CEO/administrator of the Social Security System and director of the Philippine National Bank. Ambassador Cuisia has a long career history in banking and insurance with financial institutions such as the Philippine American Life & General Insurance Co., American International Group, Far East Bank & Trust Co., and Union Bank of the Philippines. He also sat on the board of a number of leading companies in the Philippines, including SM Prime Holdings, Phinma Corp., Genesis Hotels and Resorts Management, and Manila Water Co.
Ambassador Cuisia holds a bachelor of arts in social science and a bachelor of science in commerce (magna cum laude) from De La Salle University, as well as a master’s in business administration-finance from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated in 1970 as a university scholar.
He is married to the former Maria Victoria Jose, with whom he has five children.
Summer Departures
The following ambassadors are bidding farewell to Washington this summer:
Ambassador of Croatia Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic – In Washington since April 2008, she ecently took up her new position as NATO’s assistant secretary-general for public diplomacy.
Ambassador of Finland Pekka Lintu – In Washington since January 2006
Ambassador of Germany Klaus Scharioth – In Washington since March 2006, he will return to Berlin to serve as dean of the Mercator Kolleg Project for International Affairs.
Ambassador of India Meera Shankar – In Washington since May 2009, she will be succeeded in the fall by Nirupama Rao, India’s foreign secretary since 2009.
Ambassador of Malta Mark Anthony Miceli-Farrugia – In Washington since May 2007
Ambassador of Peru Luis Miguel Valdivieso Montano – In Washington since April 2009