Ties with FG had nothing to do with appointment - RP envoy

MANILA, Philippines — New Philippine envoy to the Vatican Mercedes Tuason on Thursday shrugged off speculations that her ties to First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo got her the plum post. Tuason, in an interview on Church-run Radio Veritas, said she is preparing to face the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA). "I don’t know, hindi naman siguro, I don’t know not unless nakalusot na ako sa Commission on Appointments, ‘yun muna ang aking unahin (I don't think so. We'll know once I hurdle the Commission on Appointments. That is what I am preparing for)," she said when asked if she thought politics played a role in her appointment. Also, Tuason said she knows President Arroyo. Tuason said the First Gentleman and her late husband are cousins. Tuason said Mrs. Arroyo informed her of her appointment last March 30. At the time, she said she called her children. She also said she wanted to see her appointment papers first. She said she has been working with different Church groups. On the other hand, Tuason said she plans to talk to CBCP President Angel Lagdameo. She also said she will fulfill "the usual duties" of an envoy to the Vatican, which she said includes "to serve the Pope, to continue working with the bishops." "It is a gift to me and I will try to do whatever to be of service to God and to the country," she said. Lagdameo welcomed the appointment of Tuason, a trader and civic leader, as new Philippine envoy to the Holy See. He said the Apostolic Nunciature in Manila informed him of it two weeks ago. “She in involved in activities recognized by the Catholic Church including the Center for Peace, Bigay Puso Foundation, Gawad Kalinga and her induction to the prestigious Dame of the Order of Malta and Pro-Life Philippines," Lagdameo said in an article on the CBCP website (www.cbcpnews.com). He noted the Order of Malta provides care for the sick, medical services for the poor and distributes relief goods to disaster-stricken areas. Tuason replaces Cristina Ponce Enrile, wife of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, as Philippine representative to the Vatican. Mrs. Enrile reportedly quit her post due to chronic fatigue syndrome. Lagdameo said that even before Mrs. Enrile quit her post, “I was already told she was quite sickly in Rome." But he said he is now waiting for the “official" notice from the Apostolic Nunciature. On the other hand, he said he was “pleasantly surprised" to find about Tuason’s exposure to Catholic church programs. These include her being part of the Top 100 Graduates of St. Scholastica’s College in Manila, a Pax Awardee from St. Scholastica’s College for 2009 along with CBCP Office of Women Executive Secretary Dr. Zenaida Rotea, MD. He added Tuason is also active with the Missionaries of the Child Jesus of Malacañang. Lagdameo said Tuason is also involved many apostolates in the Church including Our Lady of Mercy Halfway House, Friends of Elsie Gatches, Philippine National Red Cross and Tuason Community Center. For her part, former Philippine Ambassador to the Vatican Henrietta De Villa said Tuason is a “nice person." “I know she’s involved in several apostolates including that of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta," she said. Sr. Mary John Mananzan, co-chairwoman of the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines, also welcomed the appointment of Tuason. “As far as I know she’s a good person that’s why we awarded her during the latest graduation ceremonies at St. Scholastica’s College last March 22," she said. - GMANews.TV