MANILA — Philippine Ambassador to the Vatican nominee Grace Relucio-Princesa is hoping that she will be confirmed by the Commission on Appointments (CA).
She expressed gratitude to President Rodrigo Duterte for nominating her to the post.
“I’d like to thank President Duterte for this very great, very humbling blessing of being nominated as Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See. But of course, we have to go though the confirmation process and the approval of the Vatican,” said the soon-to-be government official, if confirmed by the CA.
“We pray for a smooth confirmation and God willing, the approval of the Vatican. I’m just thankful to the President and to everyone else who have been instrumental in getting this nomination,” she added.
She said she is now preparing for her confirmation hearing at the CA.
“I pray and I prepare as a career diplomat for the possible questions that might be asked of me. Prayers and working,” she said in an interview.
Asked when she thinks the schedule of the hearing will be, Princesa answered, “I think soon there will be a schedule. Let’s all pray.”
Princesa admitted she had an inkling that she was one of those being considered for the post.
“I had an indication that my name was one of those being considered…its a blessing…I’m career. I’ve been a public servant for the last 38 years and 31 of them in the diplomatic service,” she added.
Last month, Duterte nominated Princesa to the post. A Foreign Service graduate of the University of the Philippines, she worked for 20 years in the Philippine Diplomatic Service.
She also served as Assistant Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Department’s Legislative Liaison Unit. (PNA)
