The Philippines has fielded a special envoy to the United States with still no ambassador to Washington.
According to Foreign Affairs spokesperson Charles Jose, there has not been an official appointment of an ambassador to the US making the post vacant.
President Rodrigo Duterte previously announced the possible nomination of his protocol officer Marciano Paynor for the post.
Jose said that President Duterte named Jose EB Antonio, Century Properties Corp chairman and chief executive officer, as special envoy on trade, investment and economic affairs to Washington.
READ: Century Properties chair, CEO Antonio is special envoy to US
Antonio, the spokesperson said, will represent the country in talks in business and commerce.
The special envoy to Washington has business dealings with President-elect Donald Trump through the US$150-million Trump Tower Manila in the Makati Central Business District.
He served as special envoy for trade and economics to China in 2005 and is the founding chairman of the Philippine-China Business Council. RAM