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Commission on Appointments (CA) Assistant Minority Leader, Surigao del Sur 2nd district Rep. Johnny Pimentel has confirmed Malacañang's nomination of Philippe Jones Lhuillier for his second tour of duty as Philippine ambassador to Spain.

Lhuillier’s new nomination papers are now with the bicameral CA, Pimentel said in a statement Tuesday, July 18.

“Ambassador Lhuillier was nominated on July 14, and his papers were received by the CA on July 17,” the Mindanao solon and Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan stalwart said.

Lhuillier's designation comes with concurrent jurisdiction over Andorra, the small principality between Spain and Portugal.

“We now have a total of 30 presidential appointees or nominees awaiting confirmation hearings by the CA,” Pimentel said.

The 25-member CA is empowered by the 1987 Constitution to scrutinize the competence, suitability and integrity of key presidential appointees--including foreign service officers--and to approve or disapprove them.

Lhuillier first assumed office as Philippine ambassador to Spain and Andorra six years ago.

He served as Philippine ambassador to Italy from 1999 to 2010, and to Portugal from 2012 to 2016.

Under the Philippine Foreign Service Law of 1991, or Republic Act (RA) No. 7157, all diplomats have a six-year tour of duty when posted overseas, unless recalled for transfer elsewhere, or recalled due to a change in government.