No hearings set on foreign service appointments

MANILA, Philippines - Even with Congress convened, the Commission on Appointments (CA) cannot act on President Arroyo’s new designations in the foreign service that are seen as potential midnight appointments, because the session is meant only for the canvassing of votes for president and vice president.

A check with the CA revealed that only Sen. Miriam Santiago, chair of the committee on foreign relations, can call the shots especially regarding hearings.

The committee has jurisdiction over the appointments of ambassadors and foreig n service officers at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

A staff member of Santiago said the senator has not scheduled any hearing on the matter.

Some officials believe the CA will act on the nominations in July, or once the 15th Congress convenes with a new set of congressmen and 12 new senators.

The CA has placed a newspaper announcement of the President’s submission for confirmation of interim appointments at the DFA.

The officials include Monina Estrella Callangan-Ruenco, ambassador extraordinaire and plenipotentiary to Hungary with concurrent jurisdiction over Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia and Montenegro; Ma. Theresa Taguiang and Meynardo Montealegre, chief of mission, class II; Marian Jocelyn Tiral-Ignacio, Jose Cabrera III, Anne Loius, Ma. Josefina Cebaltos, and Alan Daniega, career minister; Renato Duenas Jr., Marie Yvette Abalos, Emmanuel Fernandez, Anthony Achilles Mandag, Patricia Barrera, Maria Theresa Lazaro; Porfirio Mayo Jr., Ma. Antonia Mendoza-Oblena, Dinna Oblena, Rhenia Rodriguez and Rosanna Marie Villamor-Voegel, foreign service officer, Class 1.

CA secretary Arturo Tiu urged concerned parties to call the attention of the CA in case the nominees are not fit for the positions.

“The public may submit any information, written report or sworn complaint or opposition in 40 copies on the above nomination and appointments to the CA secretariat,” Tiu said in the published announcement.