Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. quickly breezed past the powerful Commission on Appointments whose members unanimously confirmed his ad interim appointment on Wednesday after no opposition was registered.
Describing Locsin as a “maverick and quick-witted” person, Senator Panfilo Lacson, chairman of the CA Foreign Affairs committee, endorsed the approval of Locsin’s confirmation during plenary session.
According to Lacson, Locsin has distinguished himself with the credentials and qualifications befitting someone who should be at the helm of the Department of Foreign Affairs—irrepressible, articulate, very independent-minded and extraordinarily prolific in writing.
“Never dull and never ordinary,” the senator said of the nominee. He said that it remains enjoyable and exciting to listen to what Locsin would say next while he “insulted and humiliated.”
Lacson said that as secretary of Foreign Affairs, Locsin would bring his own “brand of diplomacy—one that represents the true value of an independent foreign policy enshrined in our Constitution.”
“I dare say this without mental reservation. If he pulls off and succeeds in the present endeavors which he is currently occupied with, with nary a constitutional challenge but that would catapult the Philippines into the league of rich, influential and economically powerful nations, we may now be confirming a future president of the Republic of the Philippines,” Lacson added.
San Juan Rep. Ronnie Zamora, committee vice-chairperson, also endorsed Locsin, saying he believes Locsin would not allow anyone to besmirch the country and would not surrender the integrity of the people.
Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri and Senators Grace Poe, and Sonny Angara, seconded the approval of appointment. of Locsin, a lawyer by profession.
Locsin had served as Philippine Ambassador to the United Nations.
Not too long ago, the CA unanimously and decisively confirmed Locsin’s appointment as the countr’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations. In such a short stint as ambassador until he was personally chosen by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to be the country’s top diplomat, Locsin effectively made his mark within the high-brow milieu of the international community of nations,” Lacson said.
Locsin also worked as journalist, and was the representative of the First District of Makati from 2001 to 2010.
Poe said Locsin was not just a good choice but the right choice for the post. She said she was supporting the nominee’s appointment, “because I know that he will not allow our country to be bullied.”
“I think he has it in him the spirit to fight for what is right, for what is just,” said Poe.
Poe said she she expects “more great things” from Locsin’s appointment.
“Humanda silang lahat,” Poe said.
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recro said he can say with authority that Locson is the most well-read foreign affairs secretary in the world today.
“At a time when diplomacy is practiced by those who “speak softly and carry a selfie stick,” it pays to have a foreign affairs secretary who is brash, brave and brilliant because it will allow our country to punch above its weight,” he said.
“But he did not learn what he needs to do for his present job from books alone. He is a lawyer, a journalist, a publisher, a Kapuso. He had sat in the boards of blue chip companies. He spent three terms in Congress as resident editor, who gave free tutorials on how to write clear and concise laws to colleagues whose verbosity was as big as their egos,” noted Recto.
“But he didn’t grab credit for his edits. An example is the Cheaper Medicines Law, which he fashioned into one good piece of legislation,” added Recto.
Before getting the nod of the congressional body, Locsin was girlled by Senator Risa Hontiveros, who asked him on the President’s decision to withdraw from the ICC and Duterte administration’s policy toward China.
In responding to the question, Locsin said that withdrawing from the ICC does not legitimize any violation of human rights and was far from being a knee-jerk reaction.”
In reply to Hontiveros query about Duterte’s drug war, Locsin said “It is, in my view, a legitimate war against criminal syndicates.”
Hontiveros also questioned Locsin how he reconciles an “independent foreign policy” with the Duterte administration’s China-friendly policy. She cited Locsin’s earlier statement that an independent foreign policy does not simply mean switching masters. “Is this simply switching masters?” asked Hontiveros.
“No, far from that,” said Locsin.
President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Locsin in October to replace then DFA Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, who is running as Taguig City representative in the 2019 elections.