Guingona confirmed as envoy to China

The Commission on Appointments (CA) confirmed the appointment of former Vice President Teofisto Guingona yesterday as ambassador to China.

Guingona practically breezed through the confirmation hearing since the only person opposing his appointment — former senator Francisco Tatad — was not present.

Tatad was supposedly going to raise the issue of Guingona’s age in relation to the Philippine Foreign Service Act of 1991.

Tatad had opposed the appointment of Guingona, pointing out the former vice president, now 77, was past the age limit for government officials.

Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, however, defended Guingona and explained the Foreign Service Act is applicable to career diplomats, not political appointees.

Enrile argued Guingona was not covered by the provisions of Republic Act 7175 since his appointment by President Arroyo was political in nature.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Administration Franklin Ebdalin likewise noted the President could make appointments beyond the provisions of RA 7175.

Ebdalin pointed out there had been other ambassadors who were appointed past the compulsory retirement age of 65.

He named Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Lauro Baja Jr., Ambassador to Japan Domingo Siazon Jr. and Ambassador to The Hague, Netherlands Romeo Arguelles.

Ebdalin explained the President retains the authority to appoint career diplomats past the retirement age.

During confirmation hearings yesterday, members of the CA acknowledged Guingona is well qualified for the post because of his extensive government service.

Guingona’s confirmation came just in time for last night’s arrival of Chinese President Hu Jintao for a three-day state visit.

China is considered one of the most important diplomatic postings given the status of the country as an emerging economic giant and premier trading partner of the Philippines.

"To me the biggest challenge is in economics because this presents a lot of challenges and opportunities – opportunities for job creation, for more trade and for more income," Guingona said.

Guingona was elected senator in the reconstituted Congress after the first EDSA revolt, his term lasting until 1992. The following year, he was appointed executive secretary, then became justice secretary in 1995.

In 1998 he was again elected to the Senate where he served as minority leader, majority leader and Senate president pro-tempore.

In 2001, following the ouster of former President Joseph Estrada during the EDSA II revolt, Guingona was appointed vice president by Mrs. Arroyo and concurrent secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Guingona later had a falling out with Mrs. Arroyo over foreign policy matters and quit his post as foreign affairs chief.

In the May 2004 elections, Guingona decided not to seek a new mandate but supported the presidential bid of opposition candidate Fernando Poe Jr., who later lost to Mrs. Arroyo by a over a million votes.