CA bypasses all 18 Cabinet members

The Commission on Appointments bypassed yesterday the ad interim appointments of 18 Cabinet members, five constitutional officials, 11 diplomats and 125 military officers while approving those of six ambassadors.

Senate President Franklin Drilon, the ex-officio chairman of the CA, said that with the non-confirmation of the Cabinet members before Congress goes on recess tomorrow, their appointments are deemed bypassed.

Among the Cabinet members bypassed are Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon, Finance Secretary Jose Isidro Camacho, Trade Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes, and Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina Jr.

There have been no confirmation hearings yet on Natural Resources Secretary Heherson Alvarez III, Justice Secretary Hernando Perez, Transportation Secretary Pantaleon Alvarez, Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas and Education Secretary Raul Roco.

Among the constitutional officials bypassed are Commission on Elections Chairman Alfredo Benipayo and Commission on Audit Chairman Guillermo Carague.

Biliran Rep. Gerardo Espina, the CA majority leader, said that lack of material time, rather than strong opposition, is the main reason why some Cabinet members were not scheduled for confirmation.

All appointees bypassed should be reappointed by President Arroyo and they must go back to square one when Congress resumes regular session.

Confirmed yesterday were four career and two political diplomats led by business mogul Alfonso Yuchengco, the country’s permanent ambassador to the United Nations.

Sen. Blas Ople, chairman of the CA committee on foreign affairs, described Yuchengco as "one of the silent movers of the Philippine economy." Yuchengco is a leading investor in real estate, banking, insurance, finance and other concerns. He had served as ambassador to Japan and to China. He holds seven honorary doctorate degrees, including one from Tokyo.

Sen. Joker Arroyo said that Yuchengco was an activist and one of the prime supporters of the opposition during the martial law years.

The other ambassadors are Francisco Santos, to New Zealand; Willy Gaa, to Australia; Shulan Primavera, to Egypt; Joseph Bernardo, to Spain; and Jorge Arizabal, to Pakistan.

Santos has been with the Department of Foreign Affairs since 1967; Gaa, since 1967; Primavera, since 1974; and Arizabal, since 1965.

Bernardo, a non-career diplomat like Yuchengco, had graduated summa cum laude from De La Salle University and holds a doctorate degree in international business administration from University of California. He is married to the former Conchitina Sevilla.

Ople said that Arizabal would be facing tremendous challenges with his posting in Pakistan, with concurrent jurisdiction over Afghanistan. Ople pointed out that Arizabal would be taking care of about 600 Filipino workers in Pakistan who could be evacuated if a full-scale war erupts in neighboring Afghanistan.

"I am confident that Ambassador Arizabal will be equal to the challenge," Ople added.