The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday reiterated that President Arroyo’s appointment of non-career ambassadors is constitutional, citing Republic Act (RA) 7157 or the Foreign Service Act.

This, after critics of the Arroyo administration hit the appointment of Cebu Rep. Antonio Cuenco and Francisco Benedicto as non-career ambassadors to Italy and Beijing, China, respectively.

Under Section 17 of Republic Act (RA) 7157 or the Foreign Service Act, majority of the diplomatic and permanent missions must be headed by career ambassadors.

“Non-career ambassadors complement the career corps and have historically enriched the Philippine Foreign Service with their deep experiences and wide backgrounds notably in business, journalism, military, labor and legislature. They have helped advance the country’s strategic national interests in the international community,” the DFA said in a statement.

“A case in point is Congressman Antonio V. Cuenco who has been nominated by the President as Ambassador to Italy. He is eminently qualified as he has served as Chairman of the House Committee on

Foreign Affairs for the last four years. Under this capacity, he has exercised oversight over the DFA and been one of the key actors in the formulation of Philippine foreign policy,” the DFA explained.