As ambassador to Italy, Cuenco scoffs opposition against his appointment

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City south district Rep. Antonio Cuenco is confident that the opposition from the Union of Foreign Service Officers will not affect his confirmation at the Commission on Appointment as the Philippine Ambassador to Italy.

Cuenco will face the powerful commission today with the members of Unifors protesting his appointment and that of Ambassador Francisco Benedicto. Benedicto was appointed as the Philippine Ambassador to China.

Members of the Unifors circulated a letter in the Department of Foreign Affairs for signatures, asking President Gloria Arroyo to withdraw the appointments of Cuenco and Benedicto.

According to the foreign service officers, the two appointees will only serve six months which does not justify the additional expenses that the government will have to incur for their deployment.

Unifors also said Cuenco and Benedicto are over-aged which is in violation of the Section 23 of the Foreign Service Act. They asked that career officers be appointed to the positions in lieu of Cuenco and Benedicto. Cuenco is 73 while Benedicto is 70.

Cuenco said he already expected the Unifors to oppose his appointment because they have done so in the past.

However, he said it is not illegal for the president to appoint somebody because political appointment is allowed under the law.

Cuenco explained that his age should not be made an issue because he is not the only ambassador of retirement age. He mentioned former chief justice Hilario Davide Jr. and several others in the previous administrations.

Cuenco said the 65 age limit under the Foreign Service Act only applies to career officers and not to the political appointees.

This issue has been repeatedly brought up by the members of Unifors every time there is a new political appointee. 

Cuenco assured that the delivery of basic services in the south district will not be affected if he gets the confirmation from the CA because he already outlined all his programs and projects.

Besides Cuenco said the Congress will already adjourn on February 5, about the time when he will be reporting to his new position in Italy. – Fred P. Languido/BRP   (FREEMAN NEWS)