MANIFESTATION OF SUPPORT
Mr. Chairman, I rise to manifest my support and consent to the nomination of former Energy and Environment Secretary Raphael Lotilla as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Holy See, with concurrent jurisdiction over the Sovereign Order of Malta.
While it is his initial assignment as a diplomat, his impressive professional background in the private sector, the academe, and in the executive and legislative departments, having worked with some of the brilliant minds of the Senate, including former Senate Presidents Marcelo Fernan, Jovito Salonga, Edgardo Angara and Blas Ople, demonstrate that Secretary Popo has the competence, fitness, and work ethic to join and succeed in the foreign service.
This representation also extends my support to the confirmation of three (3) ad interim appointments (i.e. two to the rank of Chief of Mission, Class II, and one to the rank of Career Minister) from the Department of Foreign Affairs.
As we celebrate 2026 as the Year of Philippine Diplomatic History and Diaspora, which marks the 80th anniversary of the recognition of formal diplomatic relations between the Philippine government and other sovereign nations in the world, this is an opportune time to honor the excellent work and tireless efforts of the men and women of the DFA, then and now, in building and maintaining beneficial international partnerships, and in promoting and advancing the interests of Filipinos before the community of nations. Thank you for your dedicated service.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.