WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 16, Book III of the Administrative Code of 1987 (Executive Order No. 292), the President shall exercise the power to appoint officials as provided for in the Constitution and laws;

WHEREAS, the conduct of the effective foreign policy often calls for the appointment/designation of persons with expertise and experience to undertake special tasks or address certain issues, notably in international economic affairs;

WHEREAS, there is a need to clarify the use of the title œAmbassador  by Special Envoys in order to preserve the dignity of the said title and position.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BENIGNO S. AQUINO III, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. Section 2 of Executive Order No. 594 is hereby amended by adding a second paragraph thereto as follows:

An appointed/designated Special Envoy shall not use the title œAmbassador  pursuant to Republic Act 7157, otherwise known as the Philippine Foreign Service Act of 1991, which states that only Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary may carry this title.

SECTION 2. All orders, rules, regulations and issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Executive Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 3. This Executive Order shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

(SGD.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

By the President:

(Sgd.) PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR.
  Executive Secretary