CA defers confirmation of envoy holding two ranks

Millicent Cruz-Paredes. File photo from www.fsi.gov.ph /

MANILA, Philippines — The confirmation of Philippine ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand Millicent Cruz-Paredes, who is  holding two ranks, has been derailed at the Commission on Appointments  (CA).

Senator Panfilo Lacson and San Juan Representative Ronaldo Zamora were puzzled how Paredes would get confirmation since her appointment papers showed she was appointed to the ranks of Chief of Mission 1 and 2.

Aside from her appointment to the rank of Chief of Mission 1, Paredes was also nominated to the rank of Chief of Mission, Class II as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of Thailand and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.

“I have no problem about her patriotism, her qualifications, your background is completely qualified,” Zamora said during  the hearing of the CA’s committee on foreign affairs on Wednesday.

“But I still want to know what rank she is being appointed to? Is she being appointed to the rank of Chief of Mission, Class 1 or Chief of Mission, Class 2?”

Zamora then moved to defer consideration on Cruz-Paredes’ appointments pending clarification on the issue.

Lacson agreed, saying the problem would arise if the nominee is confirmed to the rank of Chief of Mission, Class 1, and then later as ambassador to Thailand but with the rank of Chief of Mission, Class  2.

“That’s in effect demoting her,” the senator pointed out.

Paredes’ confirmation was the only one deferred by the panel as it recommended for confirmation the 24 other officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

All 24 officials, along with  five senior military officers, were later confirmed at the CA plenary.

Edited by JPV