Palace reappoints five bypassed Cabinet members

Malacañang has sent the nomination papers of five reappointed Cabinet members and other officials to the Commission on Appointments.

Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas, CA vice chairman and head of the 12-member House contingent in the commission, said the Palace has also endorsed a fresh batch of generals in the Armed Forces.

He said the five reappointed Cabinet members endorsed for confirmation are Secretaries Jesus Dureza (press), Ralph Recto of economic planning, Marianito Roque of labor, Angelo Reyes of energy, and Jose Atienza Jr. of environment and natural resources.

Also reappointed and recommended again for confirmation were Civil Service Commission Chairman Ricardo Saludo, Commissioners Leonardo Leonida and Lucenito Tagle of the Commission on Elections, and Ambassador to China Orlando Mercado.

Mercado is a former senator. He served as defense secretary of former President Joseph Estrada, but in 2001, he joined Reyes, who was then Armed Forces chief of staff, in withdrawing support for Estrada and backed then Vice President Arroyo’s ascension to the presidency.

In the last CA meeting, Mercado was already scheduled for confirmation, but Sen. Jinggoy Estrada opposed it.

Gullas said Malacañang has submitted the appointment of Armando Velasco as Comelec commissioner in place of Moslemen Macarambon, who was not reappointed.

He said the senior military officers recommended for confirmation are Majors General Reynado Mapagu, Ruperto Pabustan, Oscar Rabena, and Arthur Tabaquero; Brigadiers General Emmanuel Bautista, Ricardo Butalid Jr., Danilo Ferrer, Rustico Guerrero, Francisco Lanuza, Isidoro Macaranas, and Felipe Tabas Jr.; and Commodore Nestor Losbaes.  

“We are trying our best to find enough time so that we can hopefully screen and confirm some of the qualified appointees before the Christmas recess,” Gullas said.  – Jess Diaz