Despite oppositions, Ambassador Manuel Teehankee has been confirmed as the permanent representative to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, Switzerland by a panel of the Commission on Appointments (CA). The Geneva Forum for Philippine Concerns and Ugnayang Bayan, which are both based in Geneva — sent separate letters to the committee, opposing Teehankee’s appointment, citing a 2005 case against him involving his former employee. ADVERTISEMENTBefore the CA’s committee on foreign affairs decided on the nominee’s appointment on Wednesday, Senator Risa Hontiveros, an opposition member, requested for a brief executive session. When the hearing resumed, Hontiveros manifested that she would have voted against Teehankee’s confirmation “in solidarity” with the issues raised by the Geneva Forum for Philippine Concerns against the nominee. But the panel decided anyway to recommend Teehankee’s confirmation for plenary approval.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer March 21, 2018 02:10 UTC