Outgoing Colombian Ambassador to the Philippines Marcela Ordoñez Fernández on Wednesday hailed the exchange of best practices on peace process between Manila and Bogota.

This, as Fernández paid a farewell call on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the Malacañan Palace to officially mark the end of her tour of duty to the Philippines.

The Colombian envoy thanked the President for her wonderful experience in the Philippines.

“Just basically I wanted to thank you for hosting me for the past three and a half years. It’s been wonderful. It’s been very interesting, very good experience. It was my first experience as ambassador. So it’s been wonderful,” Fernandez told the President, as quoted in a Presidential Communications Office (PCO) news release.

The Colombian official also expressed appreciation for Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Secretary Carlito “Charlie” Galvez Jr.

“I’m very happy to have here Secretary Charlie Galvez… We are exchanging best practices,” Fernández said.

During the tenure of Ambassador Fernández, the Philippines and Colombia exchanged visits of officials in charge of the peace process to learn best practices.

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) has since expressed its support for the continuation and expansion of the bilateral cooperation on the peace process.

The outgoing Ambassador was involved in the conduct of two meetings of the bilateral consultation mechanism, virtually in 2021 and in person in 2024.

Fernández also delivered Colombia’s support for the Philippines’ bid for the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) non-permanent seat for 2027 to 2028.

The Colombian envoy started her stint in the Philipppines in February 2021 and is currently the dean of the Latin American Ambassadors in the Philippines. (PNA)