Wednesday, October 19, 2016

CA confirms appointments of 4 ambassadors, Executive, Defense secretaries to plenary

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 19): CA confirms appointments of 4 ambassadors, Executive, Defense secretaries to plenary

Four Philippine Ambassadors and two Cabinet Secretaries were confirmed for appointment by the Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday.

These were Ambassadors to Malaysia, Charles Jose; to UK and Northern Island, Antonio Lagdameo; to Spain, Philippe Lhuiller; and to Qatar, Alan Timbayan.

Jose, who is also spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), has been with the agency for around 30 years.

Ambassador to Brunei, James Lao, however, was bypassed from his appointment after failing to provide answers to questions of some senators.

Also confirmed were Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. Medialdea was confirmed without oppositions and questions asked.

During the deliberation on Lorenzana’s confirmation, a number of senators questioned him on the issues within the agency.

One of the questions asked was whether there really was an intention to terminate the Philippine-US Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

President Rodrigo Duterte has previously threatened to break up ties with the US and would rather establish alliances with Russia and China. He also threatened to stop honoring the EDCA.

Lorenzana admitted that he “did not know” because the President has been issuing statements without consulting the Cabinet.

He was lauded for his honest answer.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=932633

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