Commission on Appointments to grill 2 Comelec appointees, ex-PSG chiefs

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Appointments (CA) is set to grill this week two appointees to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and two former commanders of the Presidential Security Group (PSG).

Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas, CA vice chairman, said yesterday the commission’s defense committee chaired by Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III meets tomorrow on the promotions of Maj. Gen. Delfin Bangit to lieutenant general and Brig. Gen. Romeo Prestoza to major general.

Bangit and Prestoza are former commanders of the composite military-police group guarding President Arroyo and her family.

Opposition Sen. Panfilo Lacson sought the deferment of Bangit’s confirmation last week as he still had some questions to ask the former PSG head.

Lacson is expected to confront Bangit about the revelations of businesswoman Blanquita Pelaez not too long ago that the officer, when he was PSG commander, allegedly paid her to file charges against the senator.

Bangit denied Pelaez’s claims.

Lacson may also ask Mrs. Arroyo’s former chief bodyguard about his aspiration to become the successor of Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Alexander Yano, who retires in June.

There are several officers senior than Bangit who are waiting in line to succeed Yano. The most senior of them is Army chief Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado. In the military, seniority usually counts a lot when it comes to promotions.

If Bangit were not confirmed this week before Congress goes on its month-long Lenten break, he would have to wait until the second half of April or early May for the CA’s green light. That could be too close to Yano’s retirement.

Gullas said the CA’s committee on constitutional commissions and offices chaired by Lacson would take up on Wednesday the nominations of Comelec Commissioners Leonardo Leonida and Elias Yusoph.

Also on Wednesday, the foreign affairs committee chaired by Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago would tackle several appointments, including those of Ambassadors Orlando Mercado, to China; Alejandro del Rosario, to Poland; Ariel Abadilla, to Ireland; and Ma. Corazon Bahjin, to the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Mercado is a former senator and served as defense secretary of ousted President Joseph Estrada.

Gullas said the CA intends to hold its last plenary session on Wednesday before the Lenten break to confirm, reject or defer pending appointments.

These include those of Economic Planning Secretary Ralph Recto, Labor Secretary Marianito Roque, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes, Environment Secretary Jose Atienza Jr., and Civil Service Commission Chairman Ricardo Saludo. – Jess Diaz