Ramon Bagatsing Jr.

Ramon Sevilla Bagatsing, Jr. (born January 25, 1950), also known as Don Don Bagatsing, is a Filipino lawyer, politician, and diplomat who was the Ambassador of the Philippines to India and Nepal from 2019 to 2022. He was previously a member of the House of Representatives of the Philippines from 1987 to 1998 representing the 4th District of Manila.

Early life and education Ramon "Don Don" S. Bagatsing, Jr. was born on January 25, 1950, the son of former Mayor of Manila Ramon D. Bagatsing, Sr. and his second wife Juanita Sevilla. His paternal grandfather was an Indian Sikh who immigrated to the Philippines in the early 1900s. Not to confused he has half-brother Ramon "Boy" B. Bagatsing, Jr. from his father first wife.

He attended San Beda College from kindergarten to high school.

Career

From 1978 to 1986, Bagatsing was chairman of the Manila Sports Development Council.

He was a member of the House of Representatives from 1987 to 1998 during the 8th, 9th, and 10th Congresses under the Lakas ng Bansa/UNIDO party. He took office in 2001, replacing Vicente dela Serna who previously resigned in December 2000. He covered both congressional and local government relations with the head of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office reporting directly to him.

Ambassador to India In January 2019, Bagatsing was nominated by President Rodrigo Duterte to be the Ambassador of the Philippines to India with concurrent jurisdiction over Nepal. His nomination was confirmed by the Commission on Appointments in February 2019. He arrived in India on June 1, 2019, and presented his credentials to President Ram Nath Kovind on June 25. He also presented his credentials to President of Nepal Bidya Devi Bhandari on September 11, 2019.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ambassador Bagatsing was instrumental in the repatriation of overseas Filipino workers stranded in the country. He also participated in talks to secure doses of the Indian-manufactured COVID-19 vaccines COVAXIN and Covovax to the Philippines.

Personal life Bagatsing is married to Angela Alonso. They are the parents of Don Juan (DJ) and Don Ramon Bagatsing, current and former councilors of Manila respectively.