ARNIE B. FUENTEBELLA

Mr. Chair, the Honorable Members of this Commission, I ask for some time to manifest my support for the confirmation of the appointments of our appointees from the Department of National Defense. It is with deep respect and unwavering pride that my first committee meeting as a Member of this Commission is devoted to the performance of our constitutional duty of carefully examining the ad interim appointments of the men who have stood at the frontlines of our nation’s defense. More than the performance of our bounden duty, it is a privilege to see firsthand valor, discipline, and excellence that each of them have demonstrated in their storied careers and in the pursuit of defending our motherland.

These men have chosen a path that demands courage in the face of danger, integrity in the midst of uncertainty, and loyalty to the Constitution above all else. They have carried the weight of our flag not only on their shoulders but in their hearts. Whether in the heat of conflict or the quiet vigilance of peacekeeping, they have honored their oath and protected our people.

As members of this Commission, we entrust them with greater responsibility simply because they have earned it. We commend their bravery not as a ceremonial gesture but as a solemn acknowledgment of their sacrifice. We expect that they will continue to uphold the highest standards of military service and inspire those who follow in their footsteps.

Our national anthem closes with “Aming ligaya na ‘pag may mang-aapi, ang mamatay nang dahil sa’yo”. While we sing this in our flag ceremonies, these men more than offer a salute: they literally offer their lives for our beloved country. Their advancement reminds us all that honor is not given, it is lived, and that excellence is not a destination, it is a discipline.

To our appointees from the Department of National Defense, I send you my utmost thanks and regards. Mabuhay kayo! Mabuhay ang ating bayan! 

Dios mabalos po sa indo gabos. As Vice-Chairperson of the Committee on National Defense, I would like for my manifestation in support of their confirmations be put on record. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

To the Honorable Chairperson, esteemed colleagues of the Commission, we convene today to deliberate on the ad interim appointment of Mr. Henry Aguda as Secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology. I express my full support for his confirmation.

Secretary Aguda brings a strong record of leadership and innovation. Since his appointment in March 2025, Secretary Aguda has taken decisive steps to strengthen the DICT. He is pushing for an expansion which supports broadband rollout, cybersecurity programs, and digital upskilling. During his tenure, he has also launched partnerships with global platforms like Meta to address disinformation and protect the integrity of our digital spaces.

Secretary Aguda promotes responsible use of artificial intelligence. He supports the Philippine Al roadmap and works with international experts to align our strategies with global standards. He continues to expand free Wi-Fi access and improve e-governance platforms, making public services more efficient and accessible.

The DICT plays a critical role in national resilience. It protects our digital infrastructure, promotes inclusive connectivity, and prepares our workforce for a technology-driven future. Secretary Aguda has shown that he can lead this department with clarity, urgency, and purpose.

As he said, "At the end of the day, our real boss is the Filipino people... everything we do must be measured by the service we deliver-whether that means connecting more people, reducing queues through e-governance, or cutting corruption through transparent systems."

This vision reflects the kind of leadership our digital future demands.

I urge this Commission to confirm his ad interim appointment. Let us give him the mandate to continue building a secure, inclusive, and future-ready digital government.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

In consenting to the nominations and ad interim appointments of the nominees and appointees from the Department of Foreign Affairs, we affirm not only their individual merit, but the dignity of the Republic of the Philippines.  Diplomacy is not a performance but a discipline of quiet strength, strategic clarity, and unwavering loyalty to country. It requires a rare blend of strong patriotism, saintly patience and grace, and utmost precision.

These nominees and appointees have stood at the frontlines of our foreign relations, often in rooms where the flag is the only reminder of home. They have negotiated, defended, and advanced our interests in a world that is increasingly vague, complex, and unforgiving. Their service demands not just technical fluency, but moral clarity.  And in their records, we find both.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is not merely a conduit of protocol. It is the Republic’s voice abroad, the guardian of our sovereignty, and the steward of our global reputation. Those who serve within it must carry the weight of history and the burden of future consequence.

They must speak with precision, act with restraint, and never forget that every handshake, every statement, every silence carries the name of the Filipino people. I would like to recognize FSO II Paolo Marco Recio Mapula 2002 of the Upsilon Sigma Phi. He is one of our best and is the embodiment of the imperative of service of our beloved fraternity. The fact he is here before us assures me he continuously gathers light to scatter.

Patriotism in diplomacy is not loud. It is deliberate. It is found in the defense of overseas Filipinos, in the assertion of our rightful place in multilateral forums, and in the quiet refusal to yield where principle must stand firm.

Secretary Albert del Rosario, who led our nation through one of its most consequential foreign policy battles, once said: “Those who think ‘might makes right’ have it backwards. It is exactly the opposite, in that ‘right makes might.’” That belief guided our stand in the West Philippine Sea—and it must continue to guide every Filipino diplomat who speaks for the nation.

By consenting to these nominees and appointees, we affirm that our foreign service remains anchored in principle, not expediency. We signal to the world that the Philippines will not waver in its pursuit of just, peaceful, and rules-based engagement.

Let us proceed with discernment and resolve. The Republic deserves no less.

 The duty placed upon us today is both solemn and urgent. Before this Commission are twenty-six ad interim appointments and one nomination from the Department of National Defense. These appointments will shape the strength and readiness of our Armed Forces at a time when our country faces challenges that demand vigilance and unity.

Our nation occupies a strategic position in the Asia-Pacific. The waters that surround us are not only vital sea lanes for commerce but also contested spaces where power is tested and influence is asserted. The Philippines cannot afford hesitation in ensuring that its defense establishment is led by officials whose competence and integrity have been recognized. Their confirmation is necessary to guarantee continuity in leadership and stability in command.

The alliances we have forged with partners in the region and beyond are strengthened when our institutions demonstrate resolve. Our commitments under mutual defense arrangements and security partnerships require that we present a defense establishment that is credible, professional, and prepared. The officials whose appointments we are asked to confirm today embody these qualities. Their careers reflect dedication to service, discipline in duty, and loyalty to the Republic.

The threats from neighboring countries are not abstract. They are felt in the incursions into our waters, in the challenges to our sovereignty, and in the attempts to undermine our territorial rights. These realities demand that our Armed Forces be guided by leaders who understand both the tactical and strategic dimensions of defense. The appointments before us represent that leadership. Their confirmation will send a clear signal that the Philippines is ready to defend its interests and uphold its alliances.

In approving these appointments, we affirm our belief that national defense is not only about weapons and strategies. It is about people who carry the responsibility of safeguarding our sovereignty. It is about ensuring that the chain of command is unbroken and that the men and women in uniform are led by officers whose authority is unquestioned.

As Apolinario Mabini once reminded us, “Ang tunay na pag-ibig sa bayan ay nasa paglilingkod, hindi sa salita.” May their confirmations reflect that enduring love for the country.

“Mr. Chairman, esteemed colleagues, and our friends from the Department of Foreign Affairs, marhay na aldaw po sa gabos.

I wholeheartedly support the confirmation of the appointments and nomination of these four distinguished individuals, whose collective decades of service form a bastion of our nation's interests on the global stage.

In an international environment marked by shifting alliances and evolving challenges, diplomacy requires more than representation. It demands judgment, experience, and the ability to navigate complex issues with clarity and steadiness. Our country benefits from diplomats whose service has prepared them to carry the Filipino voice with credibility and respect in the international community.

We congratulate the career officers who stand before us today. These individuals represent the very best of our Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)- these men and women who have spent decades of their lives in the trenches of the foreign service.

I would like to give special mention to Secretary Popo Lotilla, our nominee as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Vatican City and the Holy See. He comes before this Commission as a seasoned technocrat, who has successfully maneuvered through the most difficult challenges and across different administrations in the executive branch.

I have had the privilege of working and walking with Sec. Popo as the budget sponsor of the Department of Energy for three consecutive years, and I had a front row seat to his storied career in government. Despite his achievements, he has always carried himself with a dignified restraint and a quiet humility, and he is by all means a leader worthy of emulation.

His career is a testament to the power of substantive service. Whether he was navigating the complexities of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act or creating policies to further stabilize the energy supply in the country, his approach was always the same: meticulous, evidence-based, and profoundly humble.

To send a man of Secretary Lotilla's intellectual depth and personal modesty to the Vatican is to send the very best of the Filipino spirit. He represents the bridge between technical excellence and ethical leadership. In confirming his nomination, we are affirming that in our government, there is still a place-and indeed, a profound need -for the quiet, the humble, and the brilliantly dedicated.

Diplomacy is the art of the possible, but it is driven by the experienced. Today, we confirm a team that blends the high-level strategic vision of a former Cabinet Secretary with the grounded, professional expertise of our career service.

Mr. Chairman, it is my honor to move for the confirmation of their appointments and nomination. Our nation is safer, and our interests are more secure, with these individuals at the helm.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.”

“I convey my support for the confirmation of the appointments of the fifty-seven (57) Generals/Flag Officer and Senior Officers from the Department of National Defense (DND). Their appointments merit approval – in recognition of their competence, dedication to military service, and their collective contribution to the strength and stability of our country’s defense institutions.

The security environment confronting the Philippines today demands constant vigilance. The geopolitical challenges our nation faces call for integrity, discipline, and resolve within our Armed Forces. In this context, it is essential that the Armed Forces of the Philippines maintain continuity in leadership, institutional knowledge, and professional standards. 

Confirming these officers, therefore, serves a broader institutional purpose: sustaining a steady and professional defense establishment capable of responding to emerging challenges.

A strong and well-supported Armed Forces reinforces our sovereignty and assures the public that the institutions entrusted with safeguarding the Republic remain stable, disciplined, and guided by the rule of law.

I take this opportunity to acknowledge two distinguished Bicolanos from the Province of Camarines Sur, whose appointments are among those being considered:

Major General Patricio Ruben Primo Amata of San Jose, Camarines Sur. His thirty-six (36) years of service reflect a lifetime dedicated to the defense of the nation; and Colonel Owen Valdes Florenda of Naga City, Camarines Sur, whose professional contributions likewise strengthen our defense institutions.

Their inclusion among today’s appointees is a source of pride for the people of Camarines Sur. 

Ultimately, the confirmation of these officers affirms our continued support for a capable and professional Armed Forces. It underscores the Philippines’ commitment to maintaining a stable defense establishment in an increasingly complex regional environment.

Thank you at Dios mabalos, Mr. Chair.”