RAUL V. DEL MAR

Thank you, Senator Honasan, Senate President/Chairman, and distinguished colleagues.

I am delivering this sponsorship speech not because I have just been elected as Vice Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee headed by its Chairman, Senator Lacson, not only as an official colleague, but as a personal friend of Secretary Locsin. 

I have much to say, all good, for Secretary Locsin but I’m picking up from the reminder of the Senate President earlier in the Committee hearing that tradition dictates that we confirm as fast as possible a colleague in Congress and we put -- even if he is our direct colleague in the House, where he served with us for three terms, should follow the lead of the Senate President.  So, let me just abbreviate my seconding speech by adopting the Profile Investigation Report submitted by the Appointments Review and Investigation Service, where Secretary Locsin says it all, including his colorful character. And so, this reinforces my long belief that Secretary Locsin will be one of the best secretaries of the Foreign Affairs Department and I do share also the endorsement of Chairperson Lacson that we look up to him as one of the future presidents of the country.

Thank you.