MANILA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The congressional Commission on Appointments (CA) confirmed on Wednesday the appointment of Teodoro Locsin as Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary of the Philippines.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Locsin as the country's head diplomat last month after former Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano resigned to seek a seat in the House of Representatives.

Locsin, 69, served as the Philippines' Permanent Representative to the United Nations before his appointment as DFA chief.

Panfilo Lacson, chairman of the CA foreign affairs committee, said Locsin "has distinguished himself with the credentials and qualifications befitting someone who should be at the helm of the Department of Foreign Affairs - irrepressible, articulate, very independent-minded and extraordinarily prolific in writing."

"In his short stint as ambassador, he has effectively made his mark within the high-brow milieu of the international community of nations," Lacson added.

Philippine Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo welcomed the confirmation of Locsin's appointment.

"With this confirmation, Secretary Locsin would be able to lead the DFA in supporting the president chart an independent foreign policy course while pro-actively looking after the welfare, protection, and well-being of millions of overseas Filipino workers around the world," Panelo said.