CA finally confirms Camacho

The Commission on Appointments finally confirmed yesterday the ad interim appointment of Finance Secretary Jose Isidro Camacho after his "nemesis," Sen. Tessie Aquino-Oreta, posed no objection to his confirmation.

Camacho’s appointment was bypassed three times, and his confirmation was not sent to the CA plenary immediately after its endorsement by the CA committee on finance mainly because of Oreta’s reservations.

Oreta explained that she allowed Camacho’s confirmation to proceed in response to President Arroyo’s contention that she needs him at the helm of Malacañang’s "economic dream team" to strengthen investor confidence and spell the speedy rebound of the economy.

"I bow to the collective wisdom of my peers in this Commission that he is the right man for the right job, and this confirmation would send the right signals to the local and foreign business community," she said.

At the same time, Oreta called on the Arroyo administration to take steps to demonstrate that the administration is reaching out to its political foes "in the true spirit of her call for national unity and reconciliation."

Camacho said he was relieved that he was finally confirmed, as he thanked all CA members, including Oreta, for their "just and fair" evaluation of his capabilities to head the finance department.

"Maibubuhos ko na ngayon ang lahat ng aking oras sa maraming trabahong naghihintay (I can now devote all my time to the numerous tasks waiting for my attention)," he said when asked on his immediate move.

"I am of course happy the confirmation process was completed. I am thankful to all those who supported me, including those at the Commission on Appointments who backed up my nomination," Camacho added.

He also thanked Mrs. Arroyo "for her steadfast support and confidence she showed during the process."

Camacho said he never knew that his confirmation would push through until the CA plenary session yesterday afternoon. Earlier, however, Senate President Franklin Drilon and Cebu City Rep. Raul del Mar expressed confidence that Camacho would be confirmed today.

Camacho said he was surprised the proceedings went on smoothly, "without the pressure and the tension that marked previous hearings.

Sen. Ralph Recto, chairman of the CA committee on finance, said in moving for Camacho’s confirmation that the country’s economic growth could only be maintained by keeping the economic team intact and with Camacho as "the team captain."

"It is to the best interest of the country that Camacho be confirmed," Recto said, as he cited Camacho’s educational and professional preparedness to head the finance department.

Recto, Sen. Renato Cayetano and Del Mar noted the strong support given by business leaders to the confirmation of Camacho.

Oreta said that her decision to allow Camacho’s confirmation does not mean she would no longer be relentless in pursuing the investigation of the PEACE bond issue before the Senate committee on finance headed by Sen. John Osmeña.

The bond benefited Code-NGO, a group headed by Camacho’s sister, Marissa Reyes.

Camacho’s confirmation left only three Cabinet members unconfirmed by the bicameral body: Secretaries Emilia Boncodin of budget and management, Pantaleon Alvarez of transportation and communications and Heherson Alvarez of environment and natural resources.

Zobel opposes Hehe’s confirmation

Industrialist Enrique Zobel opposed yesterday the confirmation of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Heherson Alvarez III because of Alvarez’s alleged conflict of interest and approval of five Integrated Forest Management Agreements (IFMAs) involving Singaporeans.

Alvarez countered that Zobel’s data were not accurate, as he lamented that Zobel was used to mouth some inaccuracies and fabricated issues.

In a testimony before the Commission on Appointment’s committee on natural resources headed by Sen. Ramon Magsaysay Jr., Zobel said in a rasping voice that there was conflict of interest because Earth Savers organized by Alvarez was a beneficiary of the $20-million Global Environment Fund from World Bank.

Zobel’s statement had to be read by his staff member and Malaya columnist JB Baylon after he complained of difficulty. He became a quadriplegic several years ago after he fell off a horse while playing polo.

Alvarez said that there was no conflict of interest in the Earth Savers’ Movement because he never had a hand in the management of the fund, which was set up in 1994.

"There were five DENR secretaries before me and only $2.5 million of the $20 million was left when I took over. There are also 22 non-government organizations that partook of the fund, and Earth Savers is only one of the 22," he added. – With Rocel Felix