Romualdez Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez

CA confirms nomination of Romualdez, Lagdameo

August 31, 2022 PS Jun M. Sarmiento 333 views

THE Commission on Appointments confirmed the nomination of former ambassador to the United Kingdom Antonio Manuel Lagdameo as Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations and Philippine Ambassador to the United States (US) Jose Manuel Romualdez.

Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri, concurrent chairperson of the Commission on Appointments (CA) who presided over the hybrid plenary session of the commission, said the two officials are the first two nominees confirmed by the CA in the 19th Congress.

Zubiri, in the meeting of the CA committee on Foreign Affairs, expressed belief that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. could play a bigger geopolitical role in the Southeast Asian (SEA) region, particularly in helping ease tension between China and Taiwan.

Zubiri said the Philippines can take the lead in forming an aligned position that there should be no outbreak of hostilities within the region. “I think he (Marcos) can do it.

“With the mandate that is given to him by 31 million Filipinos, I think we can take that lead,” Zubiri added.

Romualdez said he agrees with the Senate president that Marcos could play a major role in the region.

In fact, Romualdez added, he encouraged the President to visit all Southeast Asian countries at the soonest possible time.

Meanwhile, the CA panel suspended the consideration of the ad interim appointment of Foreign Affairs Sec. Luis Enrique Manalo to a later date.