MIRIAM RETURNS TO CONFIRM DIPLOMATS

Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Commission on Appointments (CA), today presided over a committee hearing that resulted in the confirmation of 6 ambassadors, 12 chiefs of mission, 13 career ministers, and 17 foreign service officers.

However, the hearing was marred because of the written sworn opposition of certain persons against the nominees.

Retired Ambassador Hermenegildo C. Cruz opposed the confirmation of certain nominees on the shaky ground that in the case of Hermenegildo Cruz v. Conchita Morales and Delia Albert (G.R. No. 203688, 6 August 2013), the Supreme Court allegedly abolished the positions of Chief of Mission and Foreign Service Officer in the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The Supreme Court decision, however, did no such thing, and merely clarified that the Chief of Mission is a rank, and not a position. In foreign service law, "rank" is different from "position."

Weightier opposition came from recently retired Ambassador Virgilio Reyes, who opposed the confirmation of career minister Leila C. Lora-Santos. Reyes alleged that as her deputy at the Philippine Embassy in Rome, Santos manifested behaviour and conduct unbecoming of a career officer.

Under the CA rules, when there is sworn opposition against a nominee, the CA has the following options: (1) defer the confirmation of the nominee until the issues have been resolved; (2) reject a meritless opposition and confirm the nominee; and (3) reject outright the appointment of the nominee.

Despite the oppositions, the diplomats were confirmed by the CA.