Senga named envoy to Iran

MANILA, Philippines – President Arroyo has appointed retired Armed Forces chief Gen. Generoso Senga as the country’s new ambassador to Iran.

The announcement was made by Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas, head of the 12-member House contingent in the Commission on Appointments (CA).

“The CA secretariat has just received the nomination papers of General Senga,” Gullas said.

He said Senga will have “concurrent jurisdiction” over Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, both former Soviet republics situated north of Iran and Afghanistan.

An Islamic republic, Iran is host to more than 1,200 Filipino workers, mostly employed in oil and other energy-related projects. Iran is the world’s fourth largest oil exporter, next to Saudi Arabia, Russia and Norway.

Senga was credited for crushing alleged coup attempts in February 2006 by disgruntled military officers led by Scout Ranger chief Danilo Lim and Marine Col. Ariel Querubin.

He served as AFP chief from August 2005 to July 2006.

Senga, 58, was at the AFP helm when President Arroyo declared a state of national emergency for more than a week from Feb. 24 to March 3, 2006 in the wake of the alleged coup attempt.

The Palace also submitted to the bicameral body the papers of Elizabeth Buensuceso, the new ambassador to Norway, with jurisdiction over Denmark and Iceland; and Jocelyn Garcia, the new ambassador to Venezuela, with jurisdiction over Trinidad and Tobago.

The CA now has pending confirmation for 86 officials, 29 of whom are new appointees while the 57 others are re-appointees. Of the 86, 56 are senior military officers while 24 are high-ranking diplomatic officials, including eight new ambassadors.

Pending confirmation are three Cabinet members – Press Secretary Jesus Dureza, Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes and Environment Secretary Jose Atienza Jr.

The others are Commission on Elections commissioners Leonardo Leonida, Lucenito Tagle and Moslemen Macarambon.

The 1987 Constitution bestows on the CA the power to approve or disapprove presidential appointments. This is part of the checks and balances enshrined in the Constitution to ensure that every government department functions in a manner most beneficial to the public welfare.

Among those subject to CA confirmation are the heads of executive departments; ambassadors, public ministers and consuls; military officers from the rank of colonel or naval captain; and the heads and members of constitutional commissions and offices.