CA confirms former Davao city rep as first woman envoy to Japan
The powerful Commission on Appointments (CA) confirmed today the appointment of Mylene Garcia-Albano, a three-term Davao city congresswoman, as the first Philippine woman ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Japan.
The CA, during its plenary session presided by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, concurrent CA chairman, also confirmed Voltaire dela Cruz Mauricio as Chief of Mission, Class I, and Val Simon Pagans Roque as career minister.
Their confirmation was recommended by Senator Jose ‘’Jinggoy’’ Ejercito Estrada, chairman on the CA foreign affairs committee, following a public hearing that determined they fitness to join the country’s foreign service.
‘’She (Garcia-Albano) is ‘’fit and qualified’’ as the country’s top envoy to Japan, Estrada said.
Representative Ramon Guico, CA vice chairman, described Albano as ‘’upright and cultured’’ while Representative Johnny Pimentel described her as having the tack in diplomacy and with grace. Representative Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo described her as a ‘’refined lady.’
The bicameral Commission also confirmed the appointment of 50 generals/flag officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) led by Major General Ramon J. Guiang, 10 brigadier generals and 39 colonels.
The brigadier generals are Jose Randolf M. Sinocruz, Eugenio C. Boquio, Stephen V. Agtoto, Norwin Joseph D. Pasamonte, Proceso S. Rebancos, Rocky J. Binag, Rommel P. Roldan, Acmad U. Omar and Randy F. Fajilagutan.
Garcia-Albano is the wife of former Congressman and now Isabela Governor Rodolfo Albano and daughter of former Congressman Manuel ‘’Nonoy’’ Garcia.
Albano was a third placer in the 1990 Philippine bar examination. She had worked at the law office of former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and former Senator Rene Cayetano.
Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda and Congresswoman Lani Mercado-Revilla said the lady ambassador had set a high standard of leadership.
Zubiri said Garcia-Albano’s confirmation as the first woman ambassador to Japan is ‘’historic’’ and that she is a good material for a Cabinet position.