CA approves Locsin appointment as DFA secretary

The Commission on Appointments approved Wednesday the appointment of Teodoro Locsin Jr. as secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Senator Panfilo Lacson, chairman of the CA foreign affairs committee, endorsed Locsin to the plenary for approval.

“Always the maverick, quick-witted, and acerbic—never dull and never ordinary–‘yun bang nang-iinsulto at nanlalait na masarap pa rin pakinggan at excited ka pang marinig ang mga susunod na sasabihin,” he said in his sponsorship speech.

“Most popularly known as Teddy Boy, the appointee has distinguished himself with the credentials and qualifications befitting someone who should be at the helm of the Department of Foreign Affairs. Irrepressible, articulate, very independent-minded and extraordinarily prolific in writing,” he added.

He believed that as DFA secretary Locsin will bring his own brand of diplomacy which represents the true value of an independent foreign policy enshrined in the Constitution.

San Juan Rep. Ronnie Zamora, committee vice-chairperson, also endorsed Locsin. The lawmaker said he believes Locsin would not allow anyone to besmirch the country and would not surrender the integrity of the people.

Senator Grace Poe said Locsin is not only a good choice but a top choice.

“I know he will not allow the country to be bullied. I am confident that he will make sure that the sovereignty will be respected. I can’t wait to see great things from this appointment,” she said in her sponsorship speech.

Malacañang welcomed Locsin’s confirmation.

“With this confirmation, Secretary Locsin would be able to lead the DFA in supporting the President chart an independent foreign policy course while pro-actively looking after the welfare, protection and well-being of millions of overseas Filipino workers around the world,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

Being a lawyer, the Filipinos can expect Locsin to “fully advance the interests” of the Philippines in the international community and protect the country’s sovereignty, according to the Palace official.

President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Locsin in October, replacing DFA Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, who is running for Taguig City representative in the 2019 elections.

A lawyer by profession, Locsin served as Philippine Ambassador to the United Nations. He also worked as journalist, and was the representative of the First District of Makati from 2001 to 2010.

He also served as a presidential counsel, spokesperson, and speechwriter who penned speeches for at least three Presidents—Corazon C. Aquino, Joseph Estrada, and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Locsin was nominated as associate justice to the Supreme Court twice, which he both declined.

Lacson also sponsored the confirmation of ad interim appointments of 47 senior foreign service officers.

They are as follows:

Chief of Mission, Class I

• Ms. Celia Anna Mallari Feria
• Ms. Maria Fe Tanabe Pangilinan
• Chief of Mission, Class II
• Mr. Marshall Louis Macabale Alferez
• Mr. Elmer Gozun Cato
• Mr. Giovanni Endencia Palec
• Mr. Ezzedin Hamdi Tago

Chief of Mission, Class II

• Mr. Marshall Louis Macabale Alferez
• Mr. Elmer Gozun Cato
• Mr. Giovanni Endencia Palec
• Mr. Ezzedin Hamdi Tago

Career Ministers

• Mr. Christopher Patrick Topacio Aro
• Mr. Raul Hora Dado
• Ms. Maria Anna Lilia Luague De Vera
• Mr. Gines Jaime Ricardo Dacanay Gallaga
• Mr. Jesus Enrique Guanzon Garcia II
• Mr. Melchor Perez Lalunio Jr.
• Mr. Voltaire Dela Cruz Mauricio
• Foreign Service Officers, Class I:
• Mr. Winston Dean Siscon Almeda
• Mr. Gabriel Romero Bautista
• Mr. Dennis John Cruz Briones
• Ms. Ma. Carmela Teresa Abella Cabreira
• Mr. Aian Almirañez Caringal
• Mr. Jose Luzanta Garcia III
• Mr. Ryan Francis De Leon Gener
• Mr. Joselito Chad Nalus Jacinto Jr.
• Mr. Lorenzo Rhys Garrucho Jungco IV
• Ms. Querobine Deapera Laccay
• Ms. Rea Galanao Oreta
• Ms. Ma. Corina Apostol Reyes
• Ms. Judy Barbara Guiang Robianes
• Mr. Jeffrey Peñamante Salik
• Mr. Paulo Velasco Saret
• Ms. Cassandra Karemaeh Bahjin Sawadjaan

Foreign Service Officers, Class II

• Ms. Sharon Johnnette Macalalad Agduma
• Ms. Kristine Fronda Bautista
• Mr. Jan Kenneth Eduarte Bolante
• Ms. Joyce Marison Marasigan Camacho
• Ms. Luningning Golong Camoying
• Mr. Andre Peter Cabuay Estanislao
• Ms. Cecille Joyce Yap Lao
• Ms. Andrea Boongaling Leycano
• Ms. Monika Kamille Bacani Limpo
• Mr. Francis Maynard Sarmiento Maleon
• Mr. Glenn Joseph Quinlantang Obach
• Ms. Rowena Rivera Pangilinan-Daquipil
• Ms. Khrystina Corpuz Popov
• Ms. Fatima Guzman Quintin
• Mr. Robert Diclas Quintin
• Ms. Ira Micheline Reyes Valdez
• Mr. Jeffrey Angelo Valdez
• Mr. Jan Sherwin Perez Wenceslao

The majority of the appointees waived their personal appearance as they are serving their posts abroad. —with Virgil Lopez/VDS/KBK, GMA News