New Cabinet members must pass through CA

Newly appointed Budget Secretary Romulo Neri and the rest of President Arroyo’s recent appointees to her Cabinet will have to pass muster before the Commission on Appointments (CA), Senate President Franklin Drilon said yesterday.

Drilon, who chairs the commission, said Neri will have to face the CA as the new head of the Department of Budget and Management. He is expected to encounter rough sailing since he has not yet received the nod of the CA when he was chief of the National Economic and Development Authority.

In the case of Interior Secretary Angelo Reyes and Environment Secretary Michael Defensor, whose appointments were approved in the last regular session of Congress, Drilon said they do not need to go before the CA even if they tendered their "resignation" in response to the President’s July 7 call for all her Cabinet members to hand in their courtesy resignations to give her a free hand at governance.

"If they resign, and the President rejected their resignation, then they remain (in their positions). There is no need for them to undergo CA hearings anymore," he said.

Drilon explained that Neri has to undergo the scrutiny of the CA because he was appointed to a new post. Neri replaced Emilia Boncodin.

Neri and Finance Secretary Margarito Teves took their oath of office before Mrs. Arroyo in a simple ceremony at Malacañang yesterday morning.

Teves replaced Cesar Purisima, who led 10 Cabinet officials and advisers, including Boncodin, who resigned July 8 and called on Mrs. Arroyo to do the same.

The President also appointed Philippine Stock Exchange president Peter Favila as trade secretary, replacing Juan Santos, to round up her new economic team.