President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has nominated Philippe Jones Lhuillier for a second tour of duty as Philippine ambassador to Spain with concurrent jurisdiction over Andorra, the small principality between Spain and Portugal.
Lhuillier’s new nomination papers are now with the bicameral Commission on Appointments (CA), according to CA Assistant Minority Leader and Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel.
“Ambassador Lhuillier was nominated on July 14, and his papers were received by the CA on July 17,” Pimentel said.
“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 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.
Besides Lhuillier, Pimentel said the following appointees or nominees are awaiting CA confirmation hearings:
· Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.;
· Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa;
· 25 newly promoted senior military officers led by Philippine Air Force Maj. Gen. Rommel Roldan;
· Mersole Mellejor, as Philippine ambassador to Nigeria, with concurrent jurisdiction over 12 other Central and West African countries; and
· Raquel Solano, as Chief of Mission, Class II, at the Department of Foreign Affairs.
They are expected to undergo CA confirmation hearings soon after the 19th Congress opens its second regular session on July 24. (RCD)
