AMBASSADOR Wilfredo C. Santos has stood witness to some of the Middle East’s most defining moments-from regional conflicts and geopolitical realignments to the evolving role of overseas Filipino workers across the Arab world.
For nearly three decades in the foreign service, Santos belongs to a generation of Filipino diplomats shaped not only by protocol and statecraft, but also by crisis management, labor diplomacy and the constant responsibility of ensuring the welfare of Filipinos abroad.
As the Philippines and Jordan mark 50 years of diplomatic relations this year, the envoy said mutual ties have steadily evolved beyond labor cooperation into a broader and more diversified partnership spanning trade, agriculture, education, cultural exchanges, and political dialogue. The relationship, he added, continues to be anchored on the more than 47,000 Filipinos living and working in Jordan, whose presence has become one of the strongest links between the two countries.
But the ambassador’s reflections also come at a time of heightened uncertainty in the Middle East. From disruptions in global energy supplies and shipping routes to concerns over the safety of overseas Filipino workers, Santos acknowledged that the ripple effects of ongoing regional tensions extend far beyond the countries directly involved in conflict. For the Philippines, he noted, these developments carry implications not only for oil prices and remittances, but also for broader regional stability and economic security.
In this interview with EnvoysandExpats, Santos-as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Philippines to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, with concurrent jurisdiction over the State of Palestine-discusses the growing Philippines-Jordan partnership, the evolving opportunities for Philippine exports and creative industries in the region, the challenges of diplomacy in the Middle East, and the lessons he hopes the next generation of Filipino diplomats will carry forward.
ENVOYSandEXPATS: As the Philippines and Jordan mark 50 years of diplomatic relations, how would you assess the tangible gains of this partnership, particularly in trade, labor cooperation, and bilateral agreements?
AMB. SANTOS: I would say the partnership has steadily grown into a stable and mutually beneficial relationship.
One of its most tangible dimensions is the presence of approximately 47,211 Filipinos in Jordan, who have made the country their second home and contribute meaningfully into the Jordanian economy. This strong people-to-people link remains at the heart of our bilateral ties.
Politically, we continue to enjoy a very good and harmonious relationship, supported by regular dialogue and consultations on political, economic, cultural, and labor matters. This is further reinforced by key bilateral mechanisms, including the successful convening of the first Philippines-Jordan Political Consultations held in November 2024 in Amman-the first since the establishment of diplomatic relations with the kingdom-which provided a platform to explore and identify cooperation in areas such as trade, agriculture, education, defense, and consular cooperation. It also gave an opportunity to exchange views on regional and international developments, including the situation in the Middle East and Gaza. The first Philippines-Jordan Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) on Labor Matters in August 2025 likewise marked a significant milestone in strengthening labor cooperation and worker protection between the Philippines and Jordan. It served as a review of the 2018 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Labor Cooperation, and looked at how we can further improve the working conditions of Filipino workers here. The discussions focused on practical concerns and safeguards against certain issues. Both sides recognized the importance of strengthening worker protection mechanisms, and the Philippines’ proposed measures to this end. These exchanges help ensure that the relationship remains active and responsive.
Both countries are further exploring ways to expand and diversify their economic engagement, moving beyond a primarily labor-centered relationship toward broader commercial linkages. For instance, the embassy successfully conducted the Outbound Business Matching Mission to Jordan in February 2025, which brought together Filipino exporters and Jordanian buyers, and helped generate renewed interest in key sectors such as agri-food products, halal-certified goods, and personal care items, while also opening concrete discussions on business partnerships and market access.
As part of the mission, the Philippine delegation also held productive engagements with key Jordanian institutions, including the Jordan Food and Drug Administration and the Ministry of Agriculture, where discussions focused on regulatory requirements, increased market access, as well as possible areas of further cooperation. These exchanges helped strengthen mutual understanding of each country’s trade environment and provided clearer guidance for Philippine exporters seeking to enter or expand to the Jordanian market. Overall, the relationship has been more developed, and the focus now is on moving it forward-toward deeper, more diversified, and future-oriented cooperation between the two countries.
What sectors continue to welcome Filipino labor, and how is the embassy addressing concerns such as worker protection and contract compliance?
Jordan remains a destination of choice for Filipino workers, the majority of whom are employed in the household service and hospitality sectors. In addressing evolving concerns on worker protection and contract compliance, the embassy continues to prioritize close coordination with Jordanian authorities. One key milestone in this regard was the successful conduct of the first JCM on Labor Matters, which provided a formal mechanism for dialogue on labor issues and strengthened cooperation on the welfare of Filipino workers.
The embassy also maintains a good working relationship with the ministries of Labor and Interior, relevant government branches, and industry associations.
Beyond overseas employment, where do you see concrete opportunities for Philippine exports, investments, or joint ventures in Jordan and the broader region?
There are clear opportunities to expand economic engagement in both trade and services. On the export side, the Philippines can further position its agricultural products in the Jordanian market, particularly coconut and coconut-based products such as oil and desiccated coconut, as well as premium tropical fruits, fresh seafood, and other agri-products that are not locally produced in Jordan.
Concurrently, there is growing potential in services and emerging sectors. The Philippines’ established strengths in animation, digital content, and game development can support Jordan’s own growing interest in developing its creative economy through the sharing of best practices, expertise, and industry experience. Through engagements with the creative industries, we were able to identify areas where Philippine expertise can directly support Jordan’s efforts to develop its creative economy, particularly in skills development, industry incubation, and digital content production.
There are also clear opportunities to explore cooperation in infrastructure and logistics, particularly in port development in Aqaba, given Jordan’s strategic role as a regional trade and transit hub. This presents a potential area where Philippine experience in port and terminal management, as well as logistics systems and operations, could be further studied and shared, should both sides agree to pursue technical exchanges or future collaboration in this field.
The embassy also has concurrent jurisdiction over Palestine. How would you describe the Philippines’ relations with the said country, especially that it is greatly involved as a flashpoint area in the Middle East?
The Philippines values its long-standing relationship with the State of Palestine, founded on shared values, mutual respect, and a commitment to dignity, sovereignty, and self-determination.Both sides are working to deepen our ties through enhanced dialogue and development of institutional linkages.
Testament to this was the bilateral meeting between Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Varsen Aghabekian Shahin of Palestine on November 18, 2025. For us, the visit is historically significant, and is a milestone in the two countries’ diplomatic relations, as this is the first-ever visit of a Palestinian Foreign Minister to the Philippines, after the formal establishment of bilateral relations between the two countries on September 4, 1989.
Their discussions centered on both countries’ pursuit of a more robust and practical cooperation in areas of mutual interests such as higher education, consular cooperation, technical and vocational education and training, among others.
The diplomats also exchanged views on key regional and global issues such as the Philippines’ Asean chairship, developments in the Middle East and the West Philippine Sea. Shahin also updated on the ongoing peace process in Palestine.
The meeting between the two officials saw the signing of an MOU on Political Consultations. The agreement established a structured bilateral mechanism of consultations between the Philippines and Palestine that will provide a platform for officials of both parties to review their bilateral relations, identify new areas of cooperation, and promote common interests.
With ongoing tensions in the Middle East, how resilient is Jordan’s economy, and what do you feel are risks or spillover effects that the Philippines should be mindful of-particularly in terms of energy, trade, or remittances?
Jordan has demonstrated considerable resilience despite ongoing regional tensions, including the recent Iran-Israel-United States conflict and its associated disruptions. From an economic perspective, the kingdom has been able to mitigate broader regional shocks through a combination of proactive measures, including diversification of supply chains, ensuring the continuous delivery of essential goods and fuel, and maintaining the steady flow of natural gas supplies. The continued operational capacity of key gateways such as Aqaba Port has also helped sustain trade flows and preserve overall supply chain continuity.
Overall, this integrated security and economic strategy has allowed Jordan to maintain stability, minimize disruption to essential services, and reduce vulnerability to external shocks. This reflects a strong degree of institutional resilience, even in a volatile regional environment.
For the Philippines, key spillover risks remain indirect, but significant. The most immediate impact is through fluctuations in global oil prices, which affect domestic inflation and commodity costs back home. In addition, any escalation of tensions in the region can pose risks to the safety and welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). There is also a potential impact on remittance flows, as regional instability can indirectly affect employment conditions, particularly through higher costs, slower hiring, and reduced income opportunities, thereby influencing the level and stability of remittances.
As a diplomat who has served mostly in the Middle East, what are your thoughts about the ongoing conflict and its far-reaching geopolitical implications?
The war triggered a significant economic disruption to global energy supplies and international shipping, creating a surge in oil and gas prices and a shortage in fertilizer supplies mainly as a result of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The war’s economic fallout has affected countries which are not direct parties to the conflict, including the Philippines which has a large number of overseas workers in the region. Air travel was likewise disrupted with the closure of airspaces of affected countries whose airports were either shut down or forced to maintain limited operations. This directly impacted tourism in the Middle East, as well as in other parts of Asia and Europe.
As ambassador, I would like to note that the Philippines continues to closely monitor developments in the Middle East and supports efforts that promote de-escalation, dialogue, and the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law and the United Nations Charter.
As Asean chair, the Philippines has also brought attention to this issue, recognizing that the repercussions of this conflict extend to our region. In this regard, I would like to refer to the recent Asean statements on the situation in the Middle East, including the Asean Foreign Ministers’ Statement, and the Asean Leaders’ Statement adopted during the 48th Asean Summit in Cebu City, which underscored the need for restraint, protection of civilians, and adherence to international law.
Asean expressed serious concern over the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East, which poses a grave threat to civilians, as well as to regional and global peace and stability. The region likewise underscored the importance of restraint, adherence to international law, and the peaceful resolution of disputes through dialogue and diplomacy, including the need for a complete and immediate cessation of hostilities across all fronts in the Middle East.
The bloc also reaffirmed the importance of maintaining maritime safety and security, as well as freedom of navigation and the safe and unimpeded passage of vessels and aircraft through strategic waterways such as the Strait of Hormuz. These statements further emphasized the need to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, ensure the safety and welfare of nationals in affected areas, and preserve stable global energy supplies and trade routes amid continuing regional tensions.
Ambassador, the bulk of your diplomatic career was spent in the Middle East. How has this regional specialization shaped your understanding of diplomacy, and what insights can you share about navigating its complexities?
The Middle East is actually a good training ground for young Filipino diplomats. In my case, it broadened my knowledge of the other but equally important aspects of foreign service work.
When I left Manila for Kuwait in February 1996, my Home Office training at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) largely consisted of protocol-related tasks. I had no experience in handling assistance-to-national cases and consular work. I learned to handle these responsibilities in addition to doing political and economic reporting during my posting to the Middle Eastern state.
When my ambassador was recalled to Manila in 1997, I was designated as the embassy charge d’affaires a.i. I served in this capacity for six months, which introduced me to the expectations of being an acting head of post at a relatively young age. This knowledge served me in good stead when I later assumed higher responsibilities in the department.
The Middle East is an important region to the Philippines. It is home to an estimated 2.4 million Filipinos, who reside and work in this part of the world, and who remit a great portion of the country’s annual remittances back home. As it is also a region fraught with conflict due to overlapping historical, political, and religious reasons, the safety and well-being of our countrymen have remained the primary concern of the Philippine government.
To this day, the political and economic stability of the Middle East has a direct connection to the safety and welfare of our OFWs. The issues affecting them then: their safety and continued gainful employment are very relevant to the challenges I faced in my later assignments as Philippine ambassador to the State of Qatar, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
Having held senior roles in consular affairs and protocol, what reforms or initiatives are you most proud of, particularly those that improved services for OFWs?
Upon my recall from San Francisco in 2011, I was assigned to the Office of Consular Affairs, which is the largest office in the DFA in terms of personnel complement. I served in OCA initially as executive director and later took over as assistant secretary, which enabled me to oversee the modernization plans of various consular documents, including the new generation of Philippine e-passports, machine-readable visas, and authentication documents. The DFA-OCA developed the concept for the new e-passport system, which is fully compliant with the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization to facilitate Filipinos’ overseas travels.
In 2014, the DFA launched the new e-Registry and Document Management authentication systems which provided an online verification system for the department’s authentication documents while streamlining the back-end operations of the Authentication Division. The two systems allowed the OCA to expand its authentication services nationwide.
In addition, through the e-Registry, which contains 2,000 digital signatures, the DFA laid the groundwork for the implementation of the Apostille Convention. Four years later in 2018, the Philippines finally acceded to the convention by depositing the Instrument of Accession in The Hague, Netherlands.
It was also during this period that the DFA built on its successful project to open offices in malls to better serve the Filipino public. The opening of more mall-based branches throughout the country allowed the department to bring its services ‘closer to the people’ while continuing to improve its systems as well as ensuring quality customer services and support.
In June 2016, while assigned in Doha, Qatar, my services as DFA assistant secretary for Consular Affairs were recognized when I received the ‘Gawad Mabini, rank of Dakilang Kamanong’ from former president Benigno Aquino III.
As you approach retirement, how do you view the next generation of Filipino diplomats, and what priorities should they carry forward in strengthening the Philippines’ presence in the Middle East?
The new generation of Filipino foreign service officers are actually better trained than our group of Filipino diplomats when we started our careers decades ago. Prior to their foreign postings, they had the benefit of more training in the Home Office as well as having greater opportunities for scholarships abroad. Nevertheless, gaining the necessary work experience while being assigned overseas-whether it be in an embassy, mission, or consulate-is something all Filipino diplomats will go through as they climb the ladder of responsibilities in the DFA.
For decades, Philippine foreign policy in the Middle East was based on the three ‘O’s: oil, overseas Filipinos, and overseas remittances. The region has been a source of gainful employment for Filipino professionals and workers since the 1970s. The OFWs contribute to the Philippines’ national economy through the sending of remittances to their families and relatives back home. These foreign exchange remittances contribute in turn to the build-up of the country’s dollar reserves.
The Middle East is also important to the Philippines in terms of our energy security. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Oman are among the top 10 countries that represent all sources of crude oil imported by the Philippines.
But to maximize the opportunities for the country in the Middle East, the next generation of Filipino diplomats assigned in the region should focus also on other key areas of cooperation, particularly in business, trade and investment, education and culture, air services and tourism.
The Philippines has always been a traditional supplier of food and agricultural products to the Middle East, which serves as a market for tropical fruits like mangoes, pineapples, bananas, coconut oil and tropical fruit drinks. The promotion of the country’s cuisine and its varied tourist spots provide a platform for the Philippines to become a leading tourist, business and investment destination in Asia.
Likewise, the rapid growth of the Philippines’ animation and game development industry provides opportunities to strengthen its creative industry ties with Middle East nations, particularly in animation outsourcing, digital media collaboration, and game development and co-production.
The Philippines has existing bilateral commissions on political consultations, trade, economic, and cultural cooperation, and joint consular consultations with its partners in the region. We can utilize these bilateral mechanisms to expand our ties and exchange high-level visits with Middle East countries.