From the Manila Bulletin: The CA Committee on Foreign Affairs chaired by Senator Panfilo Lacson unanimously moved to confirm the ad interim appointment of the 39 DFA officials in their respective positions. 

CA confirms PH ambassador to Australia, 38 DFA officials

Published August 15, 2018, 3:06 PM
By Vanne Elaine Terrazola

The Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday confirmed the appointment of an ambassador and 38 other officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The CA Committee on Foreign Affairs chaired by Senator Panfilo Lacson unanimously moved to confirm the ad interim appointment of the 39 DFA officials in their respective positions.

Lacson, following their hearing Wednesday morning, said the committee found them “fit” for their positions.

The body approved the appointment of Ma. Hellen B. dela Vega as Ambassador Extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the Commonwealth of Australia, with concurrent jurisdiction over the Republic of Nauru, the Republic of Vanuatu and Tuvalu.

Lacson, in his recommendation for Dela Vega’s confirmation, said the ambassadress started working in the DFA in 1982 under the United States Division. During her career, she served in the Philippine Embassy in various countries such as the US, Myanmar, China, Japan, Spain, and most recently, Jakarta.

Also promoted as Chiefs of Mission, class 1 were Raul Hernandez, Maria Andrelita Austria, Leslie Baja; Frank Revil Cimafranca; Ma. Theresa de Vera; Meynardo Montealegre and Irene Susan Natividad.

Confirmed were 10 Chiefs of Mission, Class 2, namely: Edgar Badajos; Robespierre Bolivar; Patrick Chuasoto; Neil Ferrer; Enrico Fos; Patrick Hilado; Mardomel Melicor; Zaldy Patron; Jose Chan-Gonzaga; and Anne Louis.

The appointment of 15 DFA career ministers were also approved. They were: Germinia Aguilar-Usudan; Marford Angeles; Edgar Auxilian; Indira Bañares; Roberto Bernardo; Renato Dueñas Jr.; Edna Lazaro; Arlene Magno; Mersole Mellejor; Marlowe Miranda; Noel Novicio; Gunther Sales; Kristine Salle; Felipe Cariño; and Anthony Mandap.

Six were confirmed as foreign service officers 1, namely: Grace Bulos; Jed Llona; Bernadette Mendoza; Edwin Mendoza; Shiela Tario; and Princess Tomas-Tayao.