Willy C. Gaa has served as the Philippines Ambassador to the US since December 8, 2006. Gaa obtained his Bachelor of Arts (AB Political Science) degree from Manuel L. Quezon University in 1966. He graduated from the University of the Philippines in 1970 with a Bachelor of Laws degree and from New York University in 1985 with a degree in Master of Laws (International Legal Studies).

 

He passed the government career service exam in 1968, the Philippine Bar Examination in 1970 and the State Bar of California in 1990. His previous legal work experience was as a tax and compliance attorney at Petrophil Corporation (1974-1975) and as a trial attorney at the Office of the Solicitor General (1971-1974).

 

His career as a diplomat began when he was appointed as Foreign Service Officer in December 1974 after passing the FSO examination and taking the oath of office in 1975. He served in the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila as principal assistant for the Office of Administration (1975); vice consul and then consul in San Francisco (1975-1980); consul in New York (1981-1985); secretary, Board of Foreign Service Administration and Board of Foreign Service Examiners (July-August 1985); acting chief coordinator, Office of the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs (September 1985-February 1986); director, Office of Middle East and African Affairs (July-August 1986); executive director, Office of Consular Services (August 1986-February 1987); deputy consul general in Los Angeles (1987-1990); ambassador to Tripoli, Libya and non-resident ambassador to Tunisia, Malta and Niger (1992-1997); consul general in New York (1997-1999); assistant secretary, Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs (May 1999 to 11 January 2002); and ambassador to Australia and non-resident ambassador to Nauru, Tuvalu and Vanuatu (2002-2003).

 

He served as ambassador to the People’s Republic of China (2003-2006), followed by his post as consul general in Los Angeles. Gaa was initially assigned to the Philippine Embassy in Washington, DC, as Charge d’Affaires on July 25, 2006, before becoming ambassador.