SEATTLE, Washington, 10 September 2026 —- Consul General Henry S. Bensurto Jr., of the Philippine Consulate General in Seattle, Washington, called on US Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-7 th District, WAS) on 10 September 2026 at her office in Downtown Seattle, Washington.
Consul General Bensurto recently assumed his post as the first Consul General of the newly re-established Philippine Consulate General in Seattle, Washington. The previous Philippine Consulate General in Seattle closed operations sometime in 1993. 33 years after, the Philippine Consulate General re-started operation again in Seattle on 14 July 2026 at 701 One Convention Place in Downtown Seattle.
US Representative Jayapal warmly welcomed Consul General Bensurto and the return of the Philippine Consulate General in Seattle. She expressed elation over the beneficial implications of the reopening of the Philippine Consulate General in Seattle. Filipino constituents of the US Representative in her District no longer had to travel to the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco or in Vancouver, Canada for their consular needs, which was the case for the last 33 years.
For his part, Consul General Bensurto expressed gratitude to US Representative Jayapal for her passionate compassion and concern for the Filipino community in her District. Consul General Bensurto likewise apprised Rep. Jayapal of the Philippine Consulate General’s thrusts and mission in Seattle and the larger Washington State. Consul General Bensurto informed that the Philippine Consulate General’s consular jurisdiction also covers the States of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, and Oregon in addition to Washington.
Consul General Bensurto and Rep. Jayapal had a good and positive exchange of views and suggestions on a number of issues that are of mutual interest to the Philippines and the United States, including those that have implications to Filipinos in Seattle. Consul General Bensurto expressed desire to be of help in broadening, widening, and deepening ties between the Philippines and Seattle anchored on strong people to people relationships. Rep. Jayapal expressed desire for long-term cooperation and engagement with the Philippine Consulate General on various issues of mutual concern.
Consul General Bensurto was accompanied by his spouse, Ann Mariza Sanchez- Bensurto, Consul Ruel Gunabe and Mr. Francis Villamin (Protocol Officer) of the Philippine Consulate General in Seattle. Also present during the call were Filipino Community Leaders Ellen Abellera and Mr. Eddie Abellera.
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