The Senate building in Pasay (Philippine Daily Inquirer file photo)
MANILA, Philippines — The appointments and nominations of 53 officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) have been recommended for confirmation by a panel of the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA).
However, the nomination of Rodolfo Dia Robles as the Philippines’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) in New York, United States, remain pending as the panel called for a caucus to discuss his nomination.
During a hearing on Wednesday, the CA’s Committee on Foreign Affairs grilled Robles on several issues including the reported decision of the Duterte administration to suspend any financial assistance from 18 countries that voted to approve a United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution calling for an investigation into the summary killings in the country. Robles was also asked about his stance on the country’s arbitral award over the West Philippine Sea dispute.
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Seemingly unsatisfied by some of the answers of Robles during the hearing, Senator Risa Hontiveros then motioned that the committee conduct a caucus to discuss the status of Robles’ nomination.
“I seem to sense na may mga issue na kailangan pang i-clarify at magkaroon ng consensus before we act on the motion [I seem to sense that there are still issues that need to be clarified and to have a consensus before we act on the motion],” Hontiveros said during the hearing.
In a separate interview, Robles told reporters that he explained “to the best of his knowledge” the needed answers to the questions of the panel.
“I explained to the best of my knowledge so far because I am from the private sector and the questions about the bills in Congress I don’t know yet,” he said.
Robles was appointed as the UN envoy on July 1. Prior to that, he served as a member of the Consultative Committee which drafted a federal constitution in July 2018, under the Duterte administration.
He was also a nominee to the Supreme Court before the Duterte government.
The appointments and nominations of 53 other DFA officials would be transmitted for approval at the plenary, which will be held on the same day. /jpv