By — News Desk News Desk Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/us-fast-tracks-new-philippines-ambassador Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter US fast tracks new Philippines ambassador Nation Nov 21, 2013 2:27 PM EDT Philip Goldberg, the newly appointed ambassador to the Philippines, testifies at a House hearing in 2011. Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images The U.S. Senate expedited the confirmation of Philip Goldberg as U.S. ambassador to the Philippines “because we want to have our ambassador on the ground in the Philippines to deal with the challenges of emergency assistance” as soon as possible, said Secretary of State John Kerry. Goldberg was sworn in early Thursday morning. Goldberg plans to head to the Philippines, which is still recovering from a super typhoon that pummeled the island nation on Nov. 8, early next week. “I head to Manila with mixed emotions,” he said at his swearing-in ceremony. “I’m excited and honored to be going to the Philippines, a country with which we share so much history. At the same time, it’s hard to think of the suffering of so many people in the Philippines in recent weeks and all they’ve endured without a touch of sadness and without being moved.” (Read his full remarks.) Goldberg was ambassador to Bolivia and most recently served as assistant secretary of the State Department’s intelligence bureau. View all of our World coverage. Follow @NewsHourWorld A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — News Desk News Desk
Philip Goldberg, the newly appointed ambassador to the Philippines, testifies at a House hearing in 2011. Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images The U.S. Senate expedited the confirmation of Philip Goldberg as U.S. ambassador to the Philippines “because we want to have our ambassador on the ground in the Philippines to deal with the challenges of emergency assistance” as soon as possible, said Secretary of State John Kerry. Goldberg was sworn in early Thursday morning. Goldberg plans to head to the Philippines, which is still recovering from a super typhoon that pummeled the island nation on Nov. 8, early next week. “I head to Manila with mixed emotions,” he said at his swearing-in ceremony. “I’m excited and honored to be going to the Philippines, a country with which we share so much history. At the same time, it’s hard to think of the suffering of so many people in the Philippines in recent weeks and all they’ve endured without a touch of sadness and without being moved.” (Read his full remarks.) Goldberg was ambassador to Bolivia and most recently served as assistant secretary of the State Department’s intelligence bureau. View all of our World coverage. Follow @NewsHourWorld A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now