http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/354292/appointments-of-lhuillier-conejos-confirmed
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Appointments (CA) confirmed Wednesday the appointments of Philippe Jones Lhuillier as the Philippine Ambassador to Portugal and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Esteban Conejos Jr. as permanent representative to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The bicameral body also confirmed eight chiefs of mission class 1, eight chiefs of mission, class II, and one foreign service officer (FSO), class II.
The CA foreign affairs committee, presided over by Senate President Pro Tempore Jose ‘’Jinggoy’’ Estrada as one of the seven vice chairmen, sought the confirmation of Lhuillier, Conejos, and 16 other DFA officials after a committee hearing.
Lhuillier served as the Philippine ambassador to Italy for 11 years.
Because of his exemplary performance, Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III moved that the committee recommend Lhuillier’s confirmation. Both are Cebuanos.
The committee, however, decided to defer again recommending the confirmation of the appointment of businessman Domingo L. Lee as the Philippine ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the People’s Republic of China (PROC) for lack of time.
Lee had difficulty answering the probing questions of Sen. Sergio R.Osmeña III and other CA members on PROC affairs, particularly the controversial West Philippine Sea (the former South China Sea).
Several members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the PROC are claiming part or the whole of the South China that is presumed to have an undetermined volume of oil reserves.
Lee’s appointment was deferred by the CA foreign affairs committee, led by Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, last November.
Cebuana Lhuillier Pawnshop has been the leading pawnshop chain in the Philippines with over 1,500 branches across the country—from Aparri to Tawi-Tawi. For 25 years now, Cebuana has been true to its slogan “Walang Kapantay Magpahalaga” through the incomparable services that the company offers to its customers- this includes — pawning, local and international remittance, insurance, bills payment, e-load, collection, and foreign exchange. Founded in 1987 by the current Philippine envoy to Portugal, Ambassador Philippe Jones Lhuillier, Cebuana Lhuillier is currently managed by its President and CEO, Jean Henri Lhuillier.