CA nominates first female ambassador to Japan

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 22) — The Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday confirmed the nomination of Mylene Garcia-Albano as the first female Philippine Ambassador to Japan.

Garcia-Albano, the wife of Isabela Governor Rodolfo Albano III, was a former representative of Davao City's second district.

Senator Risa Hontiveos said during a plenary session that among the issues Garcia-Albano will be handling as ambassador will be concerns of Filipino "comfort women".

According to Hontiveros, the victims of sexual slavery during World War II (WWII) continue to press the Japanese government for justice.

In response, the nominated ambassador assured that she will let the victims know that she is willing to help “to the extent that she can.”

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano also suggested that the Philippines use the economic success of Japan as a “roadmap,” citing its economic recovery after WWII.

"The model of Japan na dapang-dapa (which was in the doldrums) but within 30 years became one of the strongest economies of the world can be our roadmap,” Cayetano said.

Cayetano also said from a “very bitter past” in WWII, the Philippines and Japan’s relationship have now become “very important.”

Japan currently hosts more than 300,000 working and migrated Filipinos, making it the Asian country with the largest overseas Filipino community.