Mr. Chairman, distinguished members of the Commission on Appointments, this representation, as Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, presided over a public hearing this morning to deliberate on the nominations of two (2) ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and one Foreign Service Officer, Class IV.

The Committee likewise deliberated on the ad interim appointments of twenty one (21) senior officers of the Department of Foreign Affairs consisting of one senior official who is promoted to the rank of Chief of Mission, Class I; One senior official promoted to the rank of Chief of Mission, Class II; one official promoted to the rank of Career Minister; and eighteen (18) senior officials promoted to the rank of Foreign Service Officer, Class II.

Your Committee, after deliberating on their qualifications and fitness during the public hearing, determined that they are fit and qualified to be in the posts where they are nominated and, therefore,   ruled  to  recommend  to  the  Plenary their appointments for the consent and approval of this Body. It is, therefore, my honor and privilege to recommend that the Commission gives its consent to the nominations of the following senior officers of the Department of Foreign Affairs, namely: 

NOMINATIONS:

Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary 

1.   Imelda Macapundag Panolong

The subject nominee joined the department in 1991 as a contractual employee under the Office of Cultural Affairs and Public Information Services.  For 28 years, she modestly built her career in the Foreign Service organization having completed her tours of duty in Islamabad, Pakistan as 3rd Secretary and Manama, Bahrain as the 1st Secretary and Consul; Toronto, Canada as a Deputy Consul General; Jakarta, Indonesia as Minister and Consul General; Los Angeles, California as Deputy Consul General; and, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia as Consul General until her current nomination as Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman.  

Among her academic and career distinctions, the most notable was her being the first Moslem woman in the Philippine Democratic core to be promoted as Career Minister and later Chief of Mission, Class II.

 Mr. Chairman and distinguished colleagues, it is my privilege and honor to recommend that this Body gives its consent on the appointment of Amb. Imelda Macapundag Panolong as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipontetiary to the Sultanate of Oman, with the rank and emoluments, of a Chief of Mission, Class II.

2.  Enrique Austria Manalo

Our second nominee is an economist and public servant who has been in government service since 1973.  He held several positions at the National Economic and Development Authority or NEDA until 1979, when he started his diplomatic service career  as Foreign Service Officer IV.  Amb. Enrique Austria Manalo is a well-reputed in the Foreign Service and was even remarked as a quiet but seasoned diplomat.  He has held diplomatic prizes, including the South China Sea Deep disputes with impressive calmness.

He served the department in many capacities including his subsequent stints as the Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to the Republic of Ireland and to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and the Northern Ireland.  Most recently, he also assumed the post as Acting Secretary of Foreign Affairs from 8 March to 17 Aprill of 2017.  As Testament to his long and excellent display of leadership and professionalism, he was conferred in the Order of Lakandula, rank of Bayani in 2018 by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and in 2017, the Felipe Agoncillo Lifetime Service Award or FALSA by the Gawad Mabini Award with the rank of Dakilang Pamanong.

  Mr. Chairman, it is with distinct privilege and honor to recommend that this Body gives its consent to the nomination of Am,b. Enrique Austria Manalo as Permanent Representative of the Republic of the United Nations in New York, United States of America with the salaries and emoluments of a Chief of Mission, Class I.

 AD INTERIM APPOINTMENTS:

  At this point, Mr. Chairman, I am honored to recommend to this Commission for the confirmation of the Ad Interim appointments of the following officials:

To the rank of Chief of Mission, Class I

3.  Jose Maria Ancheta Cariño 

To the rank of Chief of Mission, Class II

4.  Ms. Myla Grace Ragenia Catalbas 

 To the rank of Career Minister

5.  Mr. Arnel Marcos Sanchez 

  Mr. Chairman, I likewise recommend to the Commission for the confirmation of the ad interim appointments of the following officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs:     

Foreign Service Officer, Class II:  

6.   Anthony Salazar Aguirre

7.   Angella Gilberto Llenos Alfafara 

8.   Juan Paolo Gonzalez Alix 

9.   Joaquin Ricardo Ramos Aragon

10. Darell Ann Roque Artates

11. Marie Cris Panes Chieng 

12. Jahzeel Abihail Guariño Cruz 

13. Alexander Joseph Ayson Estomo

14. Domini N. Fañgon-Kitade  

15. Alan Roi Quilino Gabriola  

16. Laarni Zorayda Suriaga Gandarosa  

17. Beatriz Ines L. Herrera-Davila     

18. Dyan Kristine B. Miranda-Pastrana

19. Ella Karina Rivera Mitra 

20. Joel Mendoza Peralta 

21. Enrik Fort Estrada Revillas        

22. Anne Kristine Del Mundo Salvador

23. Alex Ocillos Vallespin

NOMINATION:

And, last but not the least, Mr. Chairman, it is also my distinct privilege to recommend that this Body gives its consent on the nomination of:     

To the rank of Foreign Service Officer,  Class IV

 24.  Ms. Chryzl Torres Sicat 

I so move, Mr. Chairman.

It is my honor and privilege to recommend that this Body gives its consent to the nomination of Lt. Gen. Gilbert I. Gapay to the rank of General.

Our nominee is a fellow cavalier from PMA Sinagtala Class of 1986. He graduated top one of his class and obtained the most number of awards during his graduation rites giving him the notoriety as the most decorated cadet in the history of PMA.  He continues to earn his laurels in the long course of his career.  One of the most coveted decorations, the outstanding achievement  medal,  was bestowed on him in 2003. 

For his exceptional merit and valuable services, a number of distinguished service stars were conferred on him through the years.  In 2017, as Deputy Commander of Eastern Mindanao Command or EastMinCom; in 2012, as Commandant of the Armors School, Light Armor Division of the Philippine Army and, another one, as Assistant Chief of the Unified Command Staff for Operations U3, Southern Luzon Command; and, in 2010, as Commanding Officer of the 3rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion Light Armor Division, Philippine Army.  He likewise earned the meritorious achievement medal as the Commander of the Joint Task Force Haribon of EastMinCom which tends to expand the security measures in Davao City.

Mr. Chairman, it is my honor and privilege to recommend that this Body gives its consent to the nomination of Lt. Gen. Gilbert I. Gapay to the rank of General.

I so move, Mr. Chairman.

He is fondly known to many as Jojo, a proud Boholanon and probinsyano.  He joined the Department of Foreign Affairs in 1981 as a clerk and researcher. He later pursued his law studies while at the DFA and steadily made his way up to significant overseas posts. 

In recognition of his outstanding service to our migrant workers, he was conferred with the Parangal-Kabalikat ng Lingkod-Bayan Award in 2010.

Mr. Chairman, and distinguished colleagues, it is my privilege and honor to recommend that this Body gives its consent to the nomination of Atty. Frank Revil Cimafranca as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Hungary with concurrent jurisdiction over Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Bulgaria, Montenegro, Romania, the Republic of Serbia, and the Republic of Moldova, with the salary and emoluments of a Chief of Mission, Class I;

Our next nominee started his legal career as an Associate Lawyer in various private firms in 1990 until he joined the Department in 1995.  He rose from the ranks and assumed key positions overseas, particularly at the Embassies of the Republic of the Philippines in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Muscat, Oman; Wellington, New Zealand; and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Being the current Assistant Secretary of the DFA’s Internal Audit Service, it is worth mentioning that he effectively headed various internal audit teams that audited 17 of the DFA’s unit comprising seven Regional Consular Offices and 10 Foreign Service Posts and, thereafter, conducted Management Conferences relative to the findings.

Mr. Chairman and distinguished colleagues, it is my privilege and honor to recommend that this Body gives its consent to the nomination of Atty. Giovanni Endencia Palec as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Hellenic Republic with concurrent jurisdiction over the Republic of Cyprus, with the salary and emoluments of a Chief of Mission, Class II.

Finally, Mr. Chairman, our last nominee is Mr. Mohd. Noordin Pendosina Noor Lomondot.  He has been lauded for ably promoting the welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers, most recognized of which was the successful rescue of 10 Filipinas who were victims of abuse in Labuan, Malaysia and which earned him one of his laurels, the Kalinga sa Kapwa Award, by the Social Welfare Attaché.

Mr. Chairman, it is my privilege and honor to recommend that this Body gives its consent to the nomination of Mr. Mohd. Noordin Pendosina Noor Lomondot as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the State of Kuwait, with the salary and emoluments of a Chief of Mission, Class I.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.  

Mr. Chairman, distinguished Members of the Commission on Appointments, this representation as Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs presided over a public hearing this morning to deliberate on the nomination of one Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and the ad interim appointment of one Foreign Service Officer Class I of the Department of Foreign Affairs. 

Your Committee, after deliberating on their qualifications and fitness during the public hearing, determined that they are fit and qualified to be in the posts where they are nominated and appointed and, therefore, ruled to recommend to the Plenary their appointments for the consent and approval of the Body. 

Mr. Chairman, it is my honor and privilege to recommend that the Committee give its consent to the nomination of Ambassador Jose Eduardo Enciso Malaya III. 

Our nominee started his diplomatic career in 1985. Through the years he has gained his reputation as a professional, tactful and highly competent Foreign Service Officer. He assumed significant posts as Assistant Secretary and Foreign Affairs Spokesperson from September 2006 to February 2007 and, again, from February 2009 to September 2011. He also played key roles overseas performing diplomatic missions in New York, U.S.A.; Brussels, Belgium; San Francisco, U.S.A.; Chicago, U.S.A.; and, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Two offices he headed received the Department Best Organization Award in successive years, the DFA Office of Legal Affairs in 2012 and the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur in 2013.  

Since April 2019, he has served as the Undersecretary for Administration of the DFA where he has been notably known for implementing innovations such as adequate staffing in consular heavy or hardship embassies in the Middle East and Africa.  Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, he has also served as the Chairperson of the DFA Epidemic Response Committee, which measures reportedly minimize the infection rate among Foreign Service personnel and clientele.

Mr. Chairman and distinguished colleagues, it is my privilege and honor to recommend to this august Body to give its consent to the appointment of Amb. Jose Eduardo Enciso Malaya III, as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with a rank and emoluments of a Chief of Mission, Class I.

Mr. Chairman, it is likewise my honor and privilege to recommend that the Commission gives its consent to the nomination of Amb. Raymond Balatbat as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Lebanese Republic, with the rank and emoluments of a Chief of Mission Class II. 

Before his stint at the DFA, our nominee was a legislative researcher and writer who even worked as a Budget Analyst at the Legislative Budget Research and Monitoring Office from 1992 to 1993. He joined the Foreign Service in 1997 and has since held key roles at the home office and overseas including his stints at the Philippine embassies in Jakarta Indonesia, Riyadh Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Brunei Darussalam, for his various accomplishments and exemplary works in the department.  Ambassador Balatbat was conferred with the Gawad Mabini Rank of Commander in 2007. 

Mr. Chairman and distinguished colleagues, it is my privilege and honor to recommend that this Body gives its consent to the appointment of Amb. Raymond Balatbat as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Lebanese Republic, with the rank and emoluments of a Chief of Mission Class II.

Mr. Chairman, it is my honor and privilege to recommend that the Commission give its consent to the nomination of Amb. Maria Theresa Dizon-De Vega as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Korea, with the rank and emoluments of a Chief of Mission, Class I.

Our subject nominee, dubbed as an “accidental diplomat”, only took the Foreign Service Officer’s Examination to fulfill a promise to her elders but ended up topping the overall exams in 1994, and even ranked third in her Career Minister Examinations in 2007. She has served key roles in the Department of Foreign Affairs, including her post as the Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the Undersecretary for Administration, and as the concurrent Chairperson of the Board of Foreign Service Administration from May 2018 to April 2019.  As the Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, she was credited for the successful conclusion of a long-awaited major bilateral economic initiative, that is, the establishment of a Philippines-Germany Joint Economic Committee in August of 2020.

Ambassador De Vega has rightfully earned her laurels including the Order of Sikatuna, Rank of Dakilang Kasugo or Gold Distinction in 2016, and the Medal of Civic Merit by the government of the Kingdom of Spain in 2007.  Nonetheless, of the many feathers in her cap here and abroad, her best distinction remains to be as an outstanding diplomat who has helped forge and strengthen important bilateral and multilateral cooperation between the Philippines, the United States, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Hong Kong and Germany.

Mr. Chairman, my distinguished colleagues, it is my privilege and honor to recommend that this Body give its consent to the nomination of Amb. Maria Theresa Dizon-De Vega as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Korea, with the rank and emoluments of a Chief of Mission, Class I.

Mr. Chairman, it is also my privilege and honor to recommend that this Body give its consent to the nomination of Amb. Maria Elena Palo Algabre, as the Ambassador Extraordinary and  Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Turkey with concurrent jurisdiction over Georgia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, with the rank and emoluments of a Chief of Mission, Class II.

Ambassador Algabre, an economist by profession, started her career in the department in 1994 as an Executive Assistant at the Office of the Secretary. Only a year later, she ranked first in the FSO examinations, topping both its written and oral components. She rose from the ranks and served diplomatic postings in the Kingdom of Belgium, the Republic of Austria and the Kingdom of Norway until her recent nomination.  Under her leadership as the Minister Deputy Head of Mission and Consul General of the Philippine Embassy in Oslo Norway, the embassy was named one of the best organizations of the department in 2018.

Ambassador Algabre is highly regarded for her active promotion of Philippine Art and Culture in her foreign postings as exemplified by her key projects such as the 2015 Ballet Performance Tour in China that forge cultural exchange in the 2016 performance of the Leyte Dance Theatre in Berne Geneva, Prague Vienna and Warsaw in appreciation of the foreign assistance of the countries in the aftermath of the typhoon Yolanda. She has been entrusted with various sensitive positions in the DFA particularly acknowledged for her effective monitoring and analysis of European union policies and developments affecting the country. For her outstanding service as a diplomat, she was conferred the prestigious Gawad Mabini Dakilang Kasugo Award in 2007.

Mr. Chairman, distinguished colleagues, it is my privilege and honor to recommend that this Body give its consent to the nomination of Amb. Maria Elena Palo Algabre, as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Turkey with concurrent jurisdiction over Georgia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, with the rank and emoluments of a Chief of Mission, Class II.

Thank you.

Mr. Chairman, I took as a prize not only to second the motion of the distinguished Committee Chairman from the great province of Cavite for the confirmation of AFP Brig. Gen. Henry Maningas Doyaoen’s promotion to the rank of Major General – but likewise to raise a significant point which is relevant to the nominee’s confirmation today. 

Exactly one year from today or on17 May 2022, Brigadier General Doyaoen is due for compulsory retirement in accordance with Presidential Decrees 1638 and 1650.  Any delay in the confirmation of his nomination  later than today would disqualify him from being promoted to the next higher rank of Major General, insofar as the provision of Section 4,  Republic Act 8186 is concerned, which states that - let me quote for the record, “except for the Chief of Staff of the AFP, no officer shall be assigned/designated to the aforementioned position,” the word aforementioned hereby refers to the positions of Vice Chief of Staff, the Deputy Chief of Staff and major service commanders, “or promoted to the rank of Brigadier General/Commodore or higher if he has less than one (1) year of active service remaining prior to the compulsory retirement.”

There is no doubt in my mind that Brig. Gen. Henry Doyaoen, a decorated and battle-seasoned military officer for 33 long years, has exemplified competence and commitments to duty worthy of the AFP’s higher echelon of command.  Our Committee meeting earlier today merely affirmed his good credentials.  Thus, we decided to recommend to the plenary his confirmation in accordance with what the law and Constitution so provide.

The confirmation today of his nomination makes a good case that this revered Commission, in the exercise of its mandate under the Constitution, is duty-bound to accord weight and respect to the President’s nominations and appointments.  In my 17 long years as a Senator and good number of years as a Member of the Commission on Appointments, I cannot quite remember this Body convening on the first day of the resumption of our Congressional Sessions for the sole purpose of deliberating on the confirmation of one single officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.  That credit goes to the Chairman of the Committee on National Defense, the Hon. Luis "Jon-Jon" A. Ferrer IV and the Members of the Committee, for this unprecedented move.

Equally worth mentioning, Mr. Chairman, Mr. President, if not more significant is the fact that the President and Commander-in-Chief of all Armed Forces has accorded the Commission on Appointments the same respect and high regard in designating Maj. Gen. Andres Centino last May 14 as the new Commanding General of the Philippine Army to replace Lt. Gen. Jose Faustino Jr. 

For the record, last March during the hearing of this same Committee to confirm now four-star Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, AFP Chief of Staff, this representation strongly disputed the designation of Lt. Gen. Faustino as the Acting Commanding General of the Philippine Army, one of the three major service commands of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, as it was a clear transgression of the law.  I was also forthright in saying that Lt. Gen. Faustino may have been the most competent officer to take over the reins of the 100,000-strong Philippine Army.  His merits notwithstanding, unfortunately, he is not eligible to head a major service command of the AFP as he has less than one year of active service remaining before reaching the age of compulsory retirement.

To this end, Mr. Chairman, on behalf of the Commission on Appointments, let me express my sincere gratefulness to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for rectifying an oversight in the recent designation of Lt. Gen. Faustino as the Acting Commanding General of the Philippine Army in violation of RA 8186 as amended by RA or Republic Act 9188.  This appreciation extends to Executive Secretary Salvador Bingbong Medialdea, who personally relayed to me last Friday the concurrence of the President to this Body’s strong and unwavering position to uphold the rule of law.

As members of this Commission, this is a welcome remark to all that we are in the right direction in fulfilling our mandate to scrutinize and pass upon presidential appointments and nominations pursuant to our constitutional mandate and the proper observance of the principles of checks and balances.

That being said, Mr. Chairman, and distinguished colleagues, I reiterate my second to your Committee’s recommendation for this august Body to give its consent to the promotion of AFP Brigadier General Henry Doyaoen to the rank of Major General.

 I so move, Mr. Chairman. 

Mr. Chairman, it is my honor and privilege to recommend that the Commission gives its consent to the nomination of Amb. Ezzedin Hamdi Tago as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Arab Republic of Egypt with concurrent jurisdiction over the Republic of Djibouti, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the State of Eritrea, and the Republic of Sudan with the rank and emoluments of a Chief of Mission, Class II.

Our nominee started his career in the DFA as a casual employee and moved his way up the ladder in his 26 years of Foreign Service.  He handled sensitive positions at the home office and overseas, particularly, at the Philippine consulates in Jeddah; Jakarta, Indonesia; Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; and, Philippine Consulate General in Sydney, Australia, until   his  subsequent   nomination  to  his proposed post.

In 2007, he was conferred with the Order of Lakandula, Rank of Officer, and a Gawad Mabini, Rank of Commander Award, for his various diplomatic services.  His high-level of intelligence and diplomatic skills, particularly his specialization in Arabic, Middle East, and Islamic issues and the peace process in Southern Philippines make him a highly reputable official in the department.

Mr. Chairman and distinguished colleagues, it is my privilege and honor to recommend that this Body gives its consent to the nomination of Amb. Ezzedin Hamdi Tago as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Arab Republic of Egypt with concurrent jurisdiction over the Republic of Djibouti, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the State of Eritrea, and the Republic of Sudan with the rank and emoluments of a Chief of Mission, Class II. 

Mr. Chair, this representation requests Amb. Eduardo Eco Kapunan Jr. to stand up and be recognized.

Our nominee is a pride of the Philippine Military Academy’s snappiest Class of 1971, the same PMA class to which another one of our own former Amb. Marciano Paynor Jr. belonged, a cavalier and mistah or classmate, a friend, a very noble public servant with a colorful and challenging military career. His over 31 years of successful management and leadership experience and sound reputation to get things done in the face of challenging goals will be instrumental in carrying out his mandate as a diplomat. 

To this end, Mr. Chair and distinguished colleagues, it is my distinct privilege and honor to recommend that this Body gives its consent to the nomination of Amb. Eduardo Eco Kapunan Jr., as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Federal Republic of Germany, with the rank and emoluments of a Chief of Mission, Class I. 

Mr. Chair, next in line is Amb. Deena Joy Dy Amatong. 

Ambassador Amatong entered the Foreign Service in 1997 and since then she has made significant strides to represent our country in her overseas posts at the Philippine Embassies in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Brussels, Belgium; Paris, France; and, Vienna, Austria. 

Mr. Chair and distinguished colleagues, it is my privilege and honor to recommend that this Body gives its consent to the nomination of Amb. Deena Joy Dy Amatong, as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Lao People's Republic, with the rank and emoluments of a Chief of Mission, Class II.

Mr. Chair, Amb. Enrico Trinidad Fos., a lawyer and diplomat by profession. 

Ambassador Fos has notable accomplishments as the Assistant Secretary of the Office of Migrant Workers Affairs particularly in leading the repatriation of our distressed Overseas Filipino Workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He also has well- reputed foreign services during his stints at the Philippine Embassy or Mission in Washington DC, USA and Geneva, Switzerland. 

Mr. Chair and distinguished colleagues, it is my privilege and honor to recommend that this Body gives its consent to the nomination of Amb. Enrico Trinidad Fos, as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of Norway, with concurrent jurisdiction over the Republic of Iceland,  with the rank and emoluments of a Chief of Mission, Class II.

Mr. Chair, last but definitely not the least in our roster, Amb. Marian Jocelyn R. Tirol-Ignacio. 

Our nominee has competently served the Department of Foreign Affairs since 1996, and gained leadership roles at the Offices of the Asian Affairs in the United Nations and other international organizations. 

She also has relevant roles at the Philippine Embassies in Stockholm, Sweden; and, Tokyo, Japan. During her stint, she puts a premium on important matters of biodiversity and climate change and digitalization and cyber security. 

Mr. Chair and distinguished colleagues, it is my privilege and honor to recommend that this Body gives its consent to the nomination of Amb. Marian Jocelyn R. Tirol-Ignacio, as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Negara Brunei Darussalam, with the rank and emoluments of a Chief of Mission, Class II.