Mr. Chairman, honorable members of the Commission on Appointments, ladies and gentlemen, this representation as Chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Affairs is privileged to sponsor the nominations and ad interimappointments of twenty-eight (28) officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
As we face more complex problems transcending territorial boundaries like terrorism and transnational crimes, rapidly changing climate, disinformation and fake news, and threats to national sovereignty, the need to establish presence and forge good relations with other states is imperative, if not crucial.
“A friend to all and an enemy to none among the community of nations” has been proven to be a wise and astute direction for foreign policy, given our increased interdependence and interconnectedness. As a nation adhering to a rules-based international order, we thrive in a spirit of amity, cooperation and collaborative action.
This afternoon, we acknowledge the role of our diplomatic frontliners from the DFA. In various capacities and strategic posts all over the world, they represent the Philippines and advance the interests of the Filipino nation, often at great personal cost.
Following a public hearing this morning which deliberated on the credentials and qualifications, fitness and character of 28 foreign service officials from the DFA, your Committee ruled to endorse them to the plenary for the approval of this august body.
Distinguished colleagues, I am honored to recommend that this body give its consent to the nominations of:
- DANIEL RAMOS ESPIRITU – Chief of Mission, Class I as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Ireland
A Bicolano from Naga City, he is currently the Assistant Secretary of the Office of ASEAN Affairs and Director General of ASEAN Philippines Secretariat. He served as our Ambassador to Pakistan from 2015 to 2021, and as Deputy Consul General of the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles, California. He is also a recipient of Gawad Mabini Award with the rank of Dakilang Kamanong.
- MARDOMEL CELO DOMINGO MELICOR – Chief of Mission, Class II as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the State of Qatar
Our nominee, who hails from Dumaguete City, is presently the Assistant Secretary of the Office of Middle East and African Affairs in the home office. He was previously posted in Philippine Embassies in Warsaw, Poland; Tripoli, Libya; and Berlin, Germany, among others.
- MARY ANNE ALFONSO PADUA – Chief of Mission, Class II as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
Since 2023, she serves as Chairperson-Alternate Head of the Technical Cooperation Council of the Philippines (TCCP) of the DFA. She also served as Deputy Chief of Mission and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific in Philippine Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, and to the Philippine Embassies in Canberra, Australia; and in Vienna, Austria.
Likewise, this representation recommends that we confirm the ad interim appointments of the following:
- ROMULO VICTOR MANZANO ISRAEL, JR. – to the rank of Chief of Mission, Class II
(with a waiver of personal appearance)
Presently, he is the Minister and Consul General in Philippine Embassy in Seoul, South Korea. He was also previously posted in Philippine Consulate General in Chicago, Illinois, USA, and Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- MARIA ANTONINA MABANTA MENDOZA-OBLENA – to the rank of Chief of Mission, Class II (with a waiver of personal appearance)
She is currently serving as Consul General in Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen, People’s Republic of China. She also served in various capacities in Philippine Embassies in Copenhagen, Denmark; in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and in Moscow, Russia.
- EMMA ROMANO SARNE – to the rank of Chief of Mission, Class II
(with a waiver of personal appearance)
She is posted as our Consul General at the Philippine Consulate General in Calgary, Alberta, Canada since June 2024. She previously served in Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia; and in London, United Kingdom.
- CHARMAINE ARIAS SERNA-CHUA – to the rank of Chief of Mission, Class II
(with a waiver of personal appearance)
She is the Minister and Consul General in Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, Japan since August 2019, and previously served in Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles, California, USA.
- ERIC ROBILLO AQUINO – to the rank of Career Minister
- KATRINA ISABELLE H. BORJA-MARTIN – to the rank of Career Minister
(with a waiver of personal appearance, as she is currently in Philippine Consulate General in Toronto, Canada)
- DENNIS JOHN CRUZ BRIONES – to the rank of Career Minister
- GRACE ANNE GARCIA BULOS – to the rank of Career Minister
(with a waiver of personal appearance, as she is in Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu, Hawaii)
- AIAN ALMIRAÑEZ CARINGAL – to the rank of Career Minister
(with a waiver of personal appearance; as he is posted in Philippine Embassy in Canberra, Australia)
- QUEROBINE DEAPERA LACCAY – to the rank of Career Minister
- BERNADETTE AVERILLA MENDOZA – to the rank of Career Minister
(with a waiver of personal appearance; She is presently in Philippine Embassy in Brunei Darussalam)
- MA. CORINA APOSTOL REYES – to the rank of Career Minister
- PAULO VELASCO SARET – to the rank of Career Minister
- ANTHONY SALAZAR AGUIRRE – to the rank of Foreign Service Officer, Class I
- ANGELLA GILBERTO LLENOS ALFAFARA – to the rank of Foreign Service Officer, Class I
- RAINIER JAEN CASIS – to the rank of Foreign Service Officer, Class I
(with a waiver of personal appearance; as he is also in Philippine Embassy in Canberra, Australia)
- MARIE CRIS PANES CHIENG – to the rank of Foreign Service Officer, Class I
(with a waiver of personal appearance, for she is in Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles, California, USA)
- DOMINI NAVARETTE FAÑGON-KITADE – to the rank of Foreign Service Officer, Class I
(with a waiver of personal appearance; currently posted in Philippine Embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark)
- LAARNI ZORAYDA SURIAGA GANDAROSA – to the rank of Foreign Service Officer, Class I
- BEATRIZ INES LORENZO HERRERA-DAVILA – to the rank of Foreign Service Officer, Class I
(with a waiver of personal appearance, as she is posted in Philippine Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand)
- RAISA ABRILLO MABAYO – to the rank of Foreign Service Officer, Class I
(with a waiver of personal appearance, for she is posted in Philippine Consulate General in Barcelona, Spain)
- SIEGFRED TATAD MASANGKAY – to the rank of Foreign Service Officer, Class I
(with a waiver of personal appearance; He joins us from the Philippine Embassy in Romania)
- ENRIK FORT ESTRADA REVILLAS – to the rank of Foreign Service Officer, Class I
- RALF GAGARA CRUZ ROLDAN – to the rank of Foreign Service Officer, Class I
(with a waiver of personal appearance; for he presently in Philippine Embassy in Mexico)
- ALEX OCILLOS VALLESPIN – to the rank of Foreign Service Officer, Class I
(with a waiver of personal appearance; as he is posted in Philippine Embassy in Kuwait)
I so move, Mr. President.