The powerful Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday, May 31, confirmed the appointments of seven ambassadors and 85 senior military officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri, concurrent CA chairman, banged the gavel to officially announce their confirmation as the Senate and the House of Representatives are scheduled to adjourn sine die this week.
Confirmed based on the favorable recommendation of Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, chairman of the CA foreign affairs committee, were:
Henry Bensurto Jr., as Ambassador to Turkey, with concurrent jurisdiction over Georgia and Azerbaijan;
Paul Raymund Cortes, as Ambassador to Portugal, with concurrent jurisdiction over Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Sao Tome and Principe, and Angola;
Raul Hernandez, as Ambassador to Oman;
Josel Ignacio, as Ambassador to India, with concurrent jurisdiction over Nepal;
Carlos Sorreta, as Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland;
Renato Pedro Villa, as Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, with concurrent jurisdiction over Yemen; and
Maria Angela Abrera Ponce, Chief of Mission, Class II, as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Malaysia.
Estrada said his committee has so far recommended the confirmation of 173 DFA officials in the current regular session.
Based on the favorable recommendation of Camiguin Congressman Jesus Jurdin Romualdo, the CA , during its plenary session, confirmed the appointments of Philippine Army Major Generals Ferdinand Barandon and Fernando Reyeg.
Also confirmed as Brigadier Generals were Antonio C. Rota Jr., Ma. Dolores M. Lim, Aldrin S. Annani, Michele A. Anayran Jr., Donald M. Gumiran, Benjamin L. Hao, Erwin A. Alea, and Erwin Victoriano A. Machica.
The CA also confirmed Arthur P. Tugade, former Department of Transportation (DOTr) secretary during the Duterte administration, as Philippine Air Force (PAF) colonel, reserved.
Zubiri congratulated Tugade’s appointment.
The 75 others are colonels and Navy captains.
They are: Romel S. Valencia, Melchor Domingo P. Albarracin, Cyril P. Dawaten, Samuel C. Nadala Jr., Janet V. Laurena, Allan Edgar B. Orbito, Rene H. Sevilla, Claro M. Tamayo Jr., Dennis Rommel R. Hindang, Maribelle B. Manangbao, Harold V. Hernando, Ben C. Domingo III, Marites L. Agliam,
Justito Jasper M. Pecson, Allan Angelo C. Tolentino, John Paul David S. Trajano, Villamor B. Costales Jr., Christian James P. Vingno, Arnold L. Gasalatan, Virginia N. Ang, Abdelhalim H. Sakilan, Albert C. Flores, Raymundo C. Picut Jr., Allen Van L. Estrera, Mak Shwen M. Caringal,
Richard B. Somera, Anselmo A. Ty 2nd, Glenn S. Piquero, Josemari J. Sardeng, Leopoldo E. Acerden 4th, Crisanto J. Naing, Emerson V. Sumilang, Maynard S. Cabungcal, Tino P. Maslan, Steve C. Morata, Antonio V. Burton, Reynaldo S. Galang, Tante D. Angagao, Julito P. Garay, Ariel B. Kalahi, Bernard F. Pelobello, Ali A. Alejo, Noli P. Kanashiro, Jooney Jay R. Businos, Franco Raphael H. Alano, Melgeval B. Hilao, Alfred C. Sarmiento, Jetonni Lukh D. De Quiroz, Joe Boy D. Kindipan, Melanio E. Somera, Archie A. Ares, Josephine D. Alejo Joseph C. Galvez,
Benjo F. Negranza, Roldydin Cris A. Sergio, Randy C. Japitana, Clyde B. Domingo, Dexter P. Diego, Alexander P. Balurin, James Francis P. Lugtu, Aldrin A. Gacusan, Julien B. Dolor, Juan E. Celebrado, James S. Ramon Jr., Hernane Dc. Lanes and Ronaldo M. Pascua.
Zubiri thanked the sacrifices and services of AFP officers and men for flag and country, and for the democratic space that Filipinos are now enjoying.
In the current 19th Congress, according to Zubiri, the CA has confirmed the appointments and nominations of 20 Cabinet members, 452 AFP officers, 119 DFA officials, one Judicial and Bar Council (JBC member, and five constitutional commission officials.
He said the CA approved the nominations or appointments of 328 officials in the 18th Congress and 218 officials in the 17th Congress,’