CA confirms DFA nominations, appointments
SENATOR Jose Jinggoy Estrada, on the ninth and last confirmation hearing of the Commission on Appointment’s (CA) Committee on Foreign Affairs for the First Regular Session of the 19th Congress, revealed the accomplishments of the committee, which has so far recommended the confirmation of 45 nominations and 68 ad interim appointments in the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
This includes the confirmation of DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo; 34 Ambassadors and permanent representatives; seven Chiefs of Mission I; Chief of Mission II; 13 Career Ministers; 18 Foreign Service Officers (FSO) I; and 32 FSO (Foreign Service Officer) II.
On Wednesday, May 31, 2023, Estrada led the committee on deliberation on the nominations of seven ambassadors, namely Henry Bensurto Jr., Raul Hernandez, Randto Villa, Carlos Sorreta, Maria Angela Ponce, Paul Raymund Cortes, and Josel Ignacio.
Deputy Minority Leader Senator Risa Hontiveros meanwhile wanted to ensure a “wider recognition” of the Philippines from the international community regarding the country’s victory at THe Hague International Tribunal on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Arbitration.
During Wednesday’s deliberation, the CA’s Committee on Foreign Affairs on the nomination of Bensurto Jr. as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Turkey, Hontiveros asked what steps can be taken to ensure a wider recognition of the Philippines about the country’s “victory” on the issue of 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling against China.
Bensurto said the Philippines’ victory is something that has implications for peace and security on a global basis.
“Peace and security [are] more assured in the larger part of the world based on the rule of law, and it is interesting also that in terms of magnitude or proportion not only mathematically but geopolitically as well. It is significant that (1) million square kilometers of the ocean in our region is no longer disputed compared with the remaining 13,000 square kilometers,” Hontiveros said.
“It really means a lot for the people of the whole planet not only for Filipinos. So it is an important message that our country can share (with) the rest of the world,” she added.
