Department of Foreign Affairs (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)
MANILA, Philippines — The congressional Commission on Appointments (CA) has grilled a Department of Foreign Affairs official over his psychological capacity to perform his duty.
During the CA committee on foreign affairs hearing on Wednesday, lawmakers learned that Chief of Mission Class II Voltaire dela Cruz Mauricio’s marriage with the sister of Senator Risa Hontiveros was declared “null and void ab initio” due to his psychological incapacity.
“For the record, to enlighten the body, siguro (maybe) just cite the basis of the decision. What is the basis of the decision of the court?” Camarines Sur 2nd District Representative Luis Raymund “Lray” Villafuerte Jr. asked.
Mauricio answered: “To summarize it, Your Honor, I admitted psychological incapacity.”
Villafuerte then quizzed if his psychological incapacity is still existent, to which Mauricio answered “no.”
“It doesn’t exist anymore. The resolution was issued in 2006, and I’ve been promoted several times in the Department of Foreign Affairs without any issue on my competence or psychological state of mind,” Mauricio explained.
“In fact, one of the required things for me to be invited here is my psychological fitness as attested by licensed psychologists, Your Honor,” he added.
The CA panel recommended the nomination of Mauricio to the plenary, which confirmed the official’s appointment. With reports from Catherine Dabu, INQUIRER.net trainee