Norberto Basilio, ex-ambassador to Greece, Bangladesh, dies

Former Philippine Ambassador Norberto Basilio, a career diplomat and lawyer, passed away last Friday at age 68. Basilio is survived by his spouse, DFA Undersecretary for Policy Erlinda Basilio, and daughter Amelia Clarissa, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. "A career diplomat and lawyer, he was former Philippine Ambassador to Greece (1996-2002) and Bangladesh (2006-2008). He also served as Assistant Secretary for Middle East and African Affairs (2003-2006) at the DFA Home Office," the DFA said on its website (www.dfa.gov.ph). His other diplomatic assignments were in Korea, Japan, Belgium, Myanmar, India and Malaysia. The DFA scheduled necrological rites for him at the La Funeraria Paz, Manila Memorial Park, Sucat, Paranaque City. Basilio, who would have turned 69 on March 20, passed the Foreign Service Officer examinations in 1971 and the Philippine Bar examinations in 1985. He had a Bachelor of Laws degree from the Manuel L. Quezon University and a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from the University of the Philippines. - RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV