New ambassador to China breezes through Commission on Appointments

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Appointments (CA) has confirmed the appointment of Sonia Brady as the Philippine ambassador to China, less than a week after her nomination was announced by Malacañang.

Brady, a retired career foreign service officer, had no problems hurdling her confirmation hearing because of her extensive experience as a former ambassador to China and undersecretary for policy of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

She breezed through the CA unlike President Aquino’s original nominee, businessman Domingo Lee, who underwent three hearings without getting a favorable action.

The urgency of sending an official representative of the country to China was well understood by CA members who decided to allow and consider Brady’s nomination in spite of the fact that the documentary and publication requirements for her nomination have not yet been complied with.

However, the same privilege was not granted to Jocelyn Batoon-Garcia, who was nominated as ambassador to Thailand, and Henry Bensurto Jr., who was promoted to chief of mission class II.

Sen. Sergio Osmeña III said that the waiving of the requirements for Brady was allowed because there is a critical matter that the country has to attend to in China.

Brady told the CA that her mission to China was clear and that her experience in dealing with the Chinese officials would help ease tensions between the two nations.

“The reason that I’m being sent there is to try to seek a diplomatic solution to the problem. Whether we can do that early or later is something that I cannot say at the moment,” Brady said.

“The only thing I can do is to try and convey our position to the Chinese government and see how we can deescalate the situation and turn off the fire so that the two countries can talk and find a solution to the problem,” she added.

According to Brady, the two sides have been discussing the issue of the West Philippine Sea and maritime boundaries in general on informal levels for some time already.

She said that the situation was generally under control even when the Philippines passed its so-called baselines law, which was seen by Beijing as an effort by the country to encroach on its territory.

“They had apparently been surprised that we passed the baselines law and they canceled all official visits to Philippines and issued statements. We were able to patch things up and able to talk to them and explain. It did not result in the kind of action that has been happening now,” she noted.

Brady said the recent discussions have been focused on coming out with a proper code of conduct in the West Philippine Sea “so that it will be more enforceable and all the parties involved will be guided.”

Brady, 67, retired in 2007 and admitted that she suffered a stroke earlier this year.

However, she said that she underwent therapy and was certified by her doctors as being fully recovered.

Asked by Osmeña if she could handle the high-pressure job and if she feels that she is strong enough to last as long as Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, who is now 88, Brady responded by saying that “our Senate President is sui generis, very unique.” Meanwhile, the Palace expressed its gratitude to the commission for taking swift action to fill the sensitive post.

“Realizing the importance of and recognizing an experienced career diplomat to foster and improve our relations with China, we thank the Commission on Appointments for their swift confirmation of Sonia Brady,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said.

The CA also confirmed Philippine ambassadors to Jordan, Russia, Libya, Nigeria and Poland, as well as the four-star general promotion of Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Jessie Dellosa and 30 other senior officers of the military.– With Aurea Calica