MAY 14, 2013

NR # 3103B

Solon urges government to professionalize the Foreign Service

A lawmaker has urged the government to strengthen and professionalize the countrys career foreign service to meet the challenges in the field of international relations. Rep. Rodolfo Biazon (Lone District, Muntinlupa City) said international relations have become more intricate and complex in view of the changing and evolving political, social, economic, and security environments. A countrys foreign policy should be properly crafted and diplomatically projected in such a manner that its sovereignty and territorial integrity are ensured and protected before the community of nations, Biazon said. Biazon also said that Republic Act 7157, otherwise known as the Philippine Foreign Service Act of 1991, which created the Career Foreign Service Corps, was enacted in order to ensure that the crafting of foreign service policies and their diplomatic projection are handled by a select group of cognizant, professional and technically proficient ambassadors/chiefs of missions who represent the country abroad. Biazon said, however, that the provision has apparently been diluted in view of the practice by Presidents in appointing non-career individuals as ambassadors. Citing the record of the three previous administrations covering from 1992 to 2010, Biazon said there were 102 career as against 88 non-career ambassadors. This practice could result in the appointment of individuals with professional limitations because of lack of academic preparation, training and experience attendant to the position to which they have been appointed, Biazon said. It could also expose the Philippines to diplomatic embarrassments with its consequent adverse effects to our standing before the community of nations, Biazon added. (30) eg