SPONSORSHIP SPEECH SENATOR JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA
Chairperson, Committee on Foreign Affairs Commission on Appointments
15 May 2024

Mr. Chairman, honorable members of the Commission on Appointments, this representation as your Chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Affairs is privileged to sponsor the ad interim appointments of sixteen (16) career foreign service officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Following a public hearing this morning which considered and deliberated on their appointments, your Committee found them all to be fit and qualified, meritorious of their promotion to their respective ranks and title, and ruled to endorse them to the plenary for approval of this august chamber.

We are optimistic that the DFA, with its roster of capable and highly effective diplomats and envoys, 16 of which are here with us this afternoon and hopeful of securing the nod of the Commission, will continue to perform its mission of promoting and protecting Philippine interests in the global community.

Whether in the home office or overseas, we expect our career officers to embody and live by the core values of patriotism, integrity, professionalism, excellence and service at all times.

Distinguished colleagues, I respectfully recommend that this body confirm the ad interim appointments of the following:

May I request that each of our appointees to rise as I call your name, including those who are joining us virtually and are presently in overseas posts.

1. Maria Elena Palo Algabre - Chief of Mission, Class I

She is currently serving as DFA Assistant Secretary of the Office of European Affairs.

2. Celeste Sardillo Vinzon-Balatbat - Chief of Mission, Class I

She is deployed as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Chile, with concurrent jurisdiction over the Republic of Ecuador and the Republic of Peru. (virtual)

3. Paul Raymund Pasion Cortes - Chief of Mission, Class I

Last March 2023, he was confirmed as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Portuguese Republic, with concurrent jurisdiction over the Republic of Cabo Verde, the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, and the Republic of Angola (virtual)

4. Arvin Reyes De Leon - Chief of Mission, Class I

Currently, he serves as Assistant Secretary in the DFA Office of Public Diplomacy.

5. Francisco Noel Rio Fernandez - Chief of Mission, Class I

He is the Director General of the Foreign Service Institute (FSI).

6. Patrick John Uytiepo Hilado - Chief of Mission, Class I

He serves in the home office as Assistant Secretary, Office of Asset Management and Support Services.

7. Iric Cruz Arribas - Chief of Mission, Class II

A resident of San Juan City, he is assigned in Philippine Embassy in Washington, DC. as Minister and Consul General. (virtual)

8. Renato Ner Dueñas, Jr. - Chief of Mission, Class II

He is the Director of the DFA Office of Middle East and African Affairs.

9. Emmanuel Revilla Fernandez - Chief of Mission, Class II

He is stationed in Philippine Embassy in Singapore as Deputy Head of Mission and Consul General. (virtual)

10. Raphael Sta. Cruz Hermoso - Chief of Mission, Class II

Presently, he serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary and Executive Director (North and Northeast Asia Division) of the Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs of the DFA.

11. Pablito Austria Mendoza - Chief of Mission, Class II

He is deployed as Deputy Chief of Mission and Consul General in Philippine Embassy in Brussels, Belgium. (virtual)

12. Noel Mangaoang Novicio - Chief of Mission, Class II

Mr. Novicio serves as Minister at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Philippines to the United Nations in New York, USA (virtual)

13. Rhenita Balagtas Rodriguez - Chief of Mission, Class II

At present, she is posted as Deputy Head of Mission and Consul General in Philippine Embassy in London, United Kingdom. (virtual)

14. Gunther Emil Mayo Sales - Chief of Mission, Class II

He is the Executive Director of the DFA Office of American Affairs.

15. Arnel Gonio Talisayon - Chief of Mission, Class II

He is currently assigned as Minister and Consul General in Philippine Embassy in Beijing, People's Republic of China. (virtual)

16. Rea Galanao Oreta - Career Minister

She sits as First Secretary and Consul General in Philippine Embassy in Ottawa, Canada. (virtual)

I so move, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you.