It is worthy to mention here that unlike past career envoys, Ambassador Gaa has the full support of Malacanang and the Department of Foreign Affairs, something which one needs to be successful in this city. And as the Manila Times editorial puts it: “Gaa’s appointment ...is (also) a victory for the foreign office’s career service which insists on the appointment of full-time professionals to major capitals.”

During his term, Ambassador del Rosario showed that there are also advantages in being a non-career ambassador in Washington. On many occasions, he ignored protocol so he could directly lobby with members of Congress, the executive department and the American business community to be able to obtain benefits for the Philippines. He also successfully utilized the support of the Filipino American community in his lobbying activities. Among them were to obtain more benefits for the Filipino veterans, increased military and economic aid and foreign investments.

As a career ambassador, Mr. Gaa will presumably stick to the rules of diplomacy. He could not just go directly to Congress or the executive department without going through channels.

One thing that is sure, however, is that he will, like Mr. Del Rosario, develop a close rapport with the Filipino American community not only in D.C., but around the United States. In fact, one of his first official acts was to meet with officers of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations to seek the organization’s support. NaFFAA vowed to support his program but other organizations are still keeping their distance.