CA sets 'mass confirmation' of GMA appointees

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Appointments (CA) has scheduled the mass confirmation of President Arroyo’s appointees this week, just before Congress takes a break on Oct. 10.

Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas, head of the 12-man House contingent to the body, said they are looking forward to confirming “dozens” of Malacañang appointees at a plenary session on Oct. 8.

“We intend to deliberate on as many appointments as possible at the committee level in the days ahead, so that those who make the grade may be endorsed right away for plenary confirmation on Wednesday (Oct. 8),” he said.

Among Mrs. Arroyo’s officials still awaiting confirmation are Secretaries Jesus Dureza of the Office of the Press Secretary, Angelo Reyes of the Department of Energy, and Joselito Atienza of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Three commissioners of the Commission on Elections – Leonardo Leonida, Lucenito Tagle, and Moslemen Macarambon – are also waiting for confirmation.

On Oct. 7, Gullas said the committee on national defense under Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III will start deliberating on the appointments of 38 generals and senior military officers.

The Albano committee earlier screened and endorsed for plenary confirmation an initial batch of 25 senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines at its Sept. 30 hearing.

Among the generals and flag officers pending confirmation are Vice Admiral Ferdinand Golez, new Navy chief; Lieutenants General Delfin Bangit, Jaime Buenaflor and Isagani Cachuela; Majors General Rolando Capacia, Alfredo Cayton Jr., Nathaniel Legaspi, Hernanie Perez, and Ralph Villanueva;

Brigadiers General Anthony Alcantara, Dominador Aquino III, Manuelito Dahan, Jesus Fajardo, Reynard Ronnie Javier and Delfin Pomposo; Rear Admirals Danilo Cortez, Roberto Estioko, Ramon Punzalan and Josefino Solidum; and Commodores Oliver Cuevas, Teddy Pan, Benhail Sevilla and Orwen Cortez.

Gullas said 96 officials are now pending CA confirmation. Of the number, 63 are senior military officers, while 26 are high-ranking diplomatic officials, including 13 new ambassadors whose appointments were endorsed by Malacañang.

On the same day, the CA justice committee of opposition Sen. Panfilo Lacson will convene the hearing for the nomination of retired Court of Appeals Justice Aurora Santiago-Lagman as a member of the Judicial and Bar Council.

Before the afternoon plenary hearing on Oct. 8, the CA’s committee on foreign affairs, chaired by Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, will hear nominations of 13 new ambassadors and 12 other senior officials at the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The ambassadors pending confirmation are former senator Orlando Mercado (to China, North Korea and Mongolia); retired Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Generoso Senga (Iran, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan); Gilberto Asuque (Lebanon); Pedro Chan (Turkey, Georgia, and Azerbaijan); Rey Carandang (Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia);

Rora Navarro-Tolentino (France, Monaco and Portugal); Ma. Theresa Lazaro (Switzerland and Liechtenstein); Elizabeth Buensuceso (Norway, Denmark, and Iceland); Regina Irene Sarmiento (the Czech Republic); Jocelyn Batoon-Garcia (Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago);

Vicente Alejandrino (Libya, Algeria, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Tunisia); Domingo Lucenario Jr. (Kenya, Burundi, Comoros, the two Congos, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Tanzania and Uganda); and Marilyn Alarilla (Laos).

The CA has the mandate to approve or disapprove presidential appointments as part of checks and balances established by the Constitution to ensure that every government department functions in a manner most beneficial to the public welfare.

Among those subject to CA confirmation are the heads of executive departments, ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, military officers from the rank of colonel or naval captain, and the heads and members of constitutional commissions and offices. – Delon Porcalla