Mr. Chairman, this representation as Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, presided (over) a public hearing to deliberate on the nomination of MR. TEODORO LOPEZ LOCSIN, JR. as Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Philippines to the United Nations and the ad interim appointments of 21 Career Officers of the Department of Foreign Affairs that were submitted to the Committee’s jurisdiction for its consideration. The Committee ruled that the nominee and all the appointees possess the fitness and qualification to perform their duties, and recommended that their nomination and appointments be submitted to the plenary for its confirmation.