12 Cabinet secretaries await CA confirmation

MANILA, Philippines — Twelve Cabinet secretaries of the Marcos administration, some of whom have steered their departments in an acting capacity for over a year, are now officially in line for confirmation before the Commission on Appointments (CA).

A list of nominees submitted by Malacañang and published by the CA on Nov. 13, includes the names of Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, Public Works Secretary Giovanni Lopez, Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida and Finance Secretary Frederick Go.

Recto and Dizon’s nominations had previously been confirmed by the CA, with the body unanimously confirming Recto as Finance Secretary in 2024 and Dizon as Transportation Secretary last year. Lopez, Vida and Go have been secretaries on acting capacities since last year.

Lopez replaced Dizon last year as Transportation Secretary upon Dizon’s assumption into the Department of Public Works and Highways post due to a Cabinet reshuffle at the height of the control scandal. With the new ad-interim appointments, they are swapping positions again.

Recto also assumed his post after Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin was reportedly fired after resigned lawmaker Zaldy Co tagged him in the alleged P100-billion insertion in the 2025 national budget.

Meanwhile, Go was appointed to the Department of Finance to replace Recto.

Vida has been acting secretary of justice since then-secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla’s appointment as Ombudsman.

The rest of the appointees awaiting confirmation from the CA are Secretaries Edwin Mercado of health, Miguel Cuna of environment, Kim Robert de Leon of budget, Francis Tolentino of labor, Lino Cayetano of presidential communications, Maria Bernardita Mathay of tourism and Robert de Claro of information and communications.

Also on the list is Space Agency director-general Gay Jane Perez.

Malacañang also submitted the names of Judicial and Bar Council member Nesauro Firme, 25 foreign affairs officers and officials and 29 generals of the military.

The recent issuance of ad interim appointments to these department heads formally triggers the constitutional requirement for legislative scrutiny, moving them a step closer to securing their permanent tenure.

Since last year, senators have been warning Marcos against the prolonged use of acting Cabinet secretaries, saying it undermines constitutional checks and accountability.

The President’s sister, Sen. Imee Marcos, said several Cabinet secretaries were already “over-acting.”