Solon urges CA to ignore smear drive vs Cabinet men

The Commission on Appointments was urged yesterday to ignore smear campaigns apparently launched by unscrupulous businessmen against some Cabinet members.

Specifically, Rep. Prospero Pichay Jr. (Lakas, Surigao del Sur) named Environment Secretary Heherson "Sonny" Alvarez, Transportation Secretary Pantaleon Alvarez and Agrarian Reform Secretary Hernani Braganza as the targets of smear drives.

"Even world-renowned environment advocate Sonny Alvarez has not been spared from these vicious attacks," said Pichay.

He said the other Alvarez, a former Davao del Norte congressman, was vilified in an open letter printed in major newspapers.

He added that the incoming members of the appointments commission should ignore the "rumors" against the three Cabinet members and decide their fate based on their qualifications and performance.

The three are expected to face rough sailing in the commission because of controversies hounding them.

Alvarez of the transportation department was former assistant general manager of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

His critics claim that this is the only item in his bio-data that qualifies him for the position of transportation secretary.

They allege that he was endorsed to the post by First Gentleman Miguel Arroyo.

Braganza is being denounced every now and then by farmers’ groups.

The other Alvarez is known to some officials in his department as a "special projects secretary."

Pichay said some profit-driven businessmen are out to block the confirmation of the two Alvarezes.

"They want them out of the Cabinet or at least control them so that they can lord it over in their respective sectors," he said. He did not name the businessmen.

The Commission on Appointments has no members yet. Its membership will be named shortly after Congress convenes on July 23. The body is composed of 13 senators and 12 congressmen, with the Senate President as its chairman.