CA waits for nomination of new Cabinet appointees

President Arroyo has yet to submit the nominations of her new Cabinet appointees to the Commission on Appointments (CA), which could delay their confirmation.

A source at the CA said the panel has yet to receive from the Palace copies of the nominations of four newly appointed Cabinet members: Antipolo Rep. Ronaldo Puno (appointed interior secretary), Sec. Angelo Reyes (environment secretary), Rep. Rolando Andaya (budget secretary) and former Samar Rep. Antonio Nachura (chief legal counsel).

They will join the long line of Cabinet members who have yet to hurdle the CA, a joint congressional panel that has the power to reject or approve presidential appointments.

Among the Arroyo appointees who have yet to undergo CA scrutiny are Health Secretary Francisco Duque, Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla, Trade Secretary Peter Favila, Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas, Finance Secretary Margarito Teves, Agriculture Secretary Danilo Panganiban and Romulo Neri, who is returning to his post as chief of the National Economic and Development Authority.

Reyes has to face the panel again because he was appointed to a new post.

Armed Forces chief Gen. Generoso Senga’s confirmation hearing is set for Tuesday while Lotilla’s is scheduled for Thursday.

The departments of agrarian reform and education have acting secretaries who do not require CA confirmation.

Senate President Franklin Drilon said new Cabinet appointees would still have to undergo CA scrutiny.

"They are considered as acting appointments because a regular appointment cannot be issued while Congress is in session. They are extended acting appointments," he explained.

Upon the adjournment of Congress, Drilon said an ad interim appointment is supposed to be issued to the Cabinet members and submitted to the Commission on Appointments for confirmation.

"So it is at that point that the CA will be called upon either to give its consent to the nomination or give its confirmation to the ad interim appointment," Drilon said.