7 envoys, 21 AFP senior officers get Commission on Appointments nod

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Appointments (CA) confirmed seven ambassadors and 21 senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) yesterday. 

Only the confirmation of Philippine Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, Switzerland Manuel Teehankee was deferred. 

Sen. Panfilo Lacson, chairman of the CA committee on foreign affairs, said an issue was raised among the members of the commission regarding Teehankee’s sworn statement indicating that he has not faced any case in the country. 

Apparently, Teehankee did not mention the 2005 case that was filed against him in Geneva by the Filipina domestic household worker that he employed while serving as the permanent representative to the WTO.

The seven ambassadors confirmed by the CA yesterday were Grace Princesa (Holy See with concurrent jurisdiction over Malta); Frank Cimafranca (Greece, with concurrent jurisdiction over Cyprus); Marichu Mauro (Brazil, with concurrent jurisdiction over Colombia, Guyana, Suriname and Venezuela); Hjayceelyn Quintana (United Arab Emirates); Linglingay Lacanlale (Argentina with concurrent jurisdiction over Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay); Cesar Lee Hiong Wee (Indonesia) and Ombra Jainal (Czech Republic).

Also confirmed was foreign service officer IV Rowena Mutia.

For the AFP, among those confirmed were Lt. Generals Rozzano Briguez, Danilo Pamonag and Paul Atal; Major Generals Roseller Murillo, Jose Antonio Motril, Jesus Manangquil Jr., Fernando Trinidad, and Gilbert Gapay; Rear Admiral Erick Kagaoan; 10 brigadier generals and two commodores.

Teehankee’s case 

While the case was filed outside of the country, Lacson said CA vice chairman and San Juan City Rep. Ronaldo Zamora noted there are territorial issues that could apply to the case of Teehankee.

Lacson said this would have to be resolved by the CA committee first before they take action on Teehankee’s appointment.

The issue was raised by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who read a letter from the Geneva Forum on Philippine Concerns, a non-government organization for migrants, informing her about the case of Teehankee and their opposition to his confirmation.

According to the NGO, Teehankee was convicted of usury by the Geneva Police Court because he was found guilty of paying his Filipino domestic worker only 12 percent of the minimum wage under Swiss law. 

In the letter to Hontiveros, it was also noted that in February of 2006, Teehankee agreed to pay the minimum wage due to his former employee but refused to pay overtime, annual leave benefits and unjust dismissal compensation. 

It was also noted that Teehankee did not appeal the decision and was sentenced to 60 days on probation and fined 400 Swiss francs in 2014.   

The NGO said the case dragged on for 10 years because Teehankee invoked diplomatic immunity. 

In response to the letter, Teehankee said he regretted the “unfortunate misunderstanding and mistake” that he committed against his former employee. 

While the wages he paid her were legally compliant with Philippine rules, he said that they fell short of what were required under Swiss laws.

“No harm was intended but all wages, as sanctioned by both Philippine and Swiss regulations, have long indeed been paid and settled. All parties concerned entered into a court approved final and binding amicable settlement last October 2015,” Teehankee said. 

“I do, however, do wish to state on the record that I have learned well from the experience and fully support and advocate that all of us in government are committed to the welfare of all our compatriot Filipinos and that diplomatic immunity must never be used as a shield for wrongdoing,” he added.