Miriam hits practice of sending ambassadors to posts sans CA nod

Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago on Wednesday hit government's practice of sending to posts abroad its appointed ambassadors even without confirmation of the Commission on Appointments. During the hearing of the CA committee on foreign affairs which she heads, the senator said she will be filing next year a resolution seeking to stop the practice. "What the heck. What on earth can justify sending an agreement to a country when the legislature has not issued its consent," Santiago said. She added, "this practice in the executive branch is preempting the legislature. An appointment to an ambassadorial post should be issued by and with the consent of the CA." "In effect all our proceedings are useless," the senator added. Santiago said the practice costs the government undue expenses because the appointed ambassador is already sent to the country appointed to him but he cannot perform yet his function due to lack of CA nod. As of this posting, Department of Foreign Affairs representatives present at the CA hearing were not yet available for comments. - Amita O. Legaspi/LBG, GMANews.TV