CA confirms appointment of De Lima, Soliman, 3 others

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday confirmed the ad interim appointments of Justice Secretary Leila De Lima and four other officials.

Senator Aquilino Pimentel, chairman of the justice and judicial bar committee in the CA who endorsed De Lima's confirmation, said the Cabinet official deserves her position.

Pimentel said De Lima is now a "a household name as the epitome of a good public servant."

"From the onset of the administration of President Noynoy Aquino.. she has discharged her duties with sublime intentions and steadfast devotion to the cause of human rights and justice for all," Pimentel said of De Lima during the televised CA proceedings.

Pimentel also took a swipe at lawmakers implicated in the pork barrel scam, saying De Lima's confirmation should not be stalled because of the investigation being conducted by her office.

The senator said De Lima is only doing her job as justice department chief.

Besides De Lima, the officials whose ad interim appointments were confirmed on Wednesday were Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman, Environment Secretary Ramon Paje and Commission on Audit commissioners Heidi Mendoza and Jose Fabia.

Abono Party-list Representative Conrado Estrella III, chairman of the CA committee on labor and employment and social welfare, cited Soliman's contributions to the government's disaster relief and rehabilitation efforts last year, among others.

"You will never see her actively seeking the limelight for her many achievements, but she will always be among the first when it comes to bring the government closer to the Filipino people," Estrella said.

As for Mendoza, Senator Teofisto Guingona III said the official is a familiar "brave figure" in congressional hearings and exposes on controversies involving the embezzlement of government funds.

Guingona said nothing will stop Mendoza from making public officials accountable and from instilling an effective deterrence against fund misuse.

"She does not back down in ferreting out the truth surrounding anomalies even confronting powers-that-be amid threats to her life and threats to her family," Guingona said.

The confirmation of De Lima, Soliman, Mendoza and Fabia received no objections from the members of the CA.

Senator Serge Osmeña registered a negative vote on Paje's confirmation.