De Lima, Soliman, Paje, Petilla bypassed by CA

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Appointments (CA) bypassed four Cabinet members and commissioners of the Commission on Audit (COA) and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) before adjourning session yesterday.

Deemed bypassed were Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman, Environment Secretary Ramon Paje, Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla, COA commissioner Heidi Mendoza, and Comelec commissioner Grace Padaca.

President Aquino will have to reappoint the officials so they can continue serving in their respective posts.

The CA, however, confirmed the appointment of Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, chairman of the CA, said all the presidential appointments that were not considered by the commission would now have to be reissued.

Maguindanao Rep. Simeon Datumanong, a member of the CA, said all appointees who were not confirmed during the plenary sessions are deemed bypassed.

CA secretary Arturo Tiu said the commission submits its report on the appointments that were not taken up, and the President subsequently submits their new ad interim appointments.

De Lima, Soliman, Paje and Mendoza have all faced different problems with their confirmation hearings before the CA.

Only De Lima has not yet undergone any hearing because the CA committee on Justice and Judicial and Bar Council, chaired by Sen. Joker Arroyo has not scheduled it since the President appointed her.

During the CA’s plenary session yesterday, it was agreed that a final session would be held on June 5 when Congress returns from its election break.

Congress will adjourn session from Feb. 9 to June 4. It will have two more session days when it returns on June 5 before adjourning sine die.

The agreement among the CA members was to hold the last meetings and plenary session on June 5 for the pending appointments and promotions for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Armed Forces of the Philippines, respectively.

Parañaque City Rep. Roilo Golez had suggested that the military and foreign service appointments be taken up during the June 5 session because of the uniqueness of their situation.

In the case of the DFA, Golez said that some appointees, particularly the ambassadors would not be able to assume their respective posts without CA confirmation.

The same is true for military officers, some of whom might be retiring.

The level of benefits granted to retired military officers is based on rank and so failing to secure a confirmation of promotion would result in lesser retirement benefits for the concerned officers.

Leading the military officers who will undergo a confirmation hearing before the CA this June 5 is newly appointed AFP chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista.