CA confirms envoys to US, UN

The congressional Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday confirmed the appointments of two ambassadors, making them the first presidential nominees confirmed by the 19th Congress. After a brief questioning by CA members, former Ambassador to the United Kingdom Antonio Manuel Lagdameo secured his designation as the country’s permanent representative to the United Nations. He is the father of Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo, one of the President Marcos’ closest friends who contributed P247 million to Mr. Marcos’ presidential campaign. The President’s second cousin, Jose Manuel Romualdez, also breezed through his confirmation as the country’s ambassador to the United States. —MARLON RAMOS