4 ambassadors, science chief likely to get CA nod

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Appointments (CA) has recommended the confirmation of four ambassadors and Science Secretary Fortunato dela Peña.

During a meeting of the CA’s committee on foreign relations headed by Sen. Panfilo Lacson yesterday, the nominations of ambassador to China Jose Santiago Sta. Romana; ambassador to Japan Jose Laurel V; ambassador to Nigeria Shirley Ho Vicario and ambassador to Kenya Uriel Norman Garibay were recommended for confirmation in plenary. 

The confirmation hearings of the ambassadors came after the CA committee on science and technology endorsed Dela Peña for confirmation in plenary.

Of the four ambassadors taken up by the CA yesterday, three are political appointees. Garibay is the only career foreign service officer. 

A fifth nominee of President Duterte for ambassador to Brunei, businessman James Lao, declined his nomination, according to Lacson. 

Lacson said Lao declined because he needs to be with his wife who is suffering from cancer.

Lao was initially bypassed by the CA after failing to answer questions about his posting, which frustrated many of the CA members. 

Lacson noted that the President reappointed Lao, along with other bypassed appointees, when Congress was on break last November. 

“He was bypassed, then was reappointed. Then he wrote the President a letter declining the nomination,” Lacson said. 

The CA committee will take up the appointments of Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. and ambassador to the United Nations Teodoro Locsin Jr. next week. 

The CA will also take up today the appointments of Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial, Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo, Information and Communications Secretary Rodolfo Salalima and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia. 

A sworn opposition has been filed by Kabayan party-list Rep. Harry Roque to the appointment of Ubial.

After their confirmation hearings today, the four Cabinet secretaries, together with the ones taken up yesterday, will be confirmed in plenary as a final step.