GMA ready to let go of DENR chief

President Arroyo is ready to let go of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Heherson Alvarez if he is bypassed anew by the congressional Commission on Appointments (CA), Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said yesterday.

The CA technically bypassed Alvarez five times after the President submitted his appointment for confirmation to the 25-member constitutional body, chaired by Senate President Franklin Drilon.

But Alvarez expressed confidence the CA would soon confirm his appointment although he was being blocked by what he described as "endless witnesses and inexhaustible testimonies."

"I’m confident the CA will pass me after all that has been said and done," Alvarez told The STAR. "After five hearings, panahon na para magpasya (it’s now time to decide)."

He said he would have been confirmed before the CA adjourned its last session were it not for Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay and Cavite Rep. Plaridel Abaya, who are both opposing his confirmation.

Alvarez said the CA will be ready to continue the confirmation process by next week as soon as it re-organizes its various subcommittees.

Alvarez said he already spoke with Bunye who earlier said the President was considering Alvarez’s removal from the Cabinet.

But Bunye clarified that the President made the remark in the context that there was a process to be followed and that the administration would have to move on if any Cabinet member fails to pass the process.

"That was the impression (made) by the President," Bunye said. "But the President was taking into consideration the process. All Cabinet members must go through the CA and, if no confirmation is secured after some reasonable time, then it’s time to move forward," Bunye said.

The President is also set to submit the appointments of incoming Foreign Secretary Blas Ople and Bunye himself to the CA.- With Jess Diaz and Katherine Adraneda