4 Cabinet members bypassed

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Appointments (CA) has again bypassed Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes and Environment Secretary Lito Atienza.

Two other Cabinet men – Economic Planning Secretary Ralph Recto and Press Secretary Cerge Remonde ­– were also bypassed along with Chairman Ricardo Saludo of the Civil Service Commission.

Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III, one of 12 congressmen sitting in the CA, told

reporters yesterday that President Arroyo has to issue these officials new appointments.

“That is, if she wants them to stay in their posts. If not, they will be considered as holdover officials,” he said.

He cited the case of Moslemen Macarambon, a recent nominee to the Commission on Elections (Comelec), who was not issued a new appointment after the CA bypassed him.

But President Arroyo has already submitted to the CA the ad interim appointments of her five Cabinet members to enable them to continue performing their duties even if they have not yet been confirmed by lawmakers.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Mrs. Arroyo has submitted to the CA the ad interim appointments of Remonde, Recto, Atienza, Saludo and Reyes.

Palace officials earlier reiterated the President’s prerogative in appointing officials of her choice even if they are disliked by members of Congress.

Reyes and Atienza have been waiting for years for their CA confirmation.

Reyes once joked that he might not get confirmed until the end of Mrs. Arroyo’s term in 2010. He has jumped from one department to another since he joined the Arroyo Cabinet in 2001. He also said in an earlier interview that he was not bothered by the snub and would continue to work.

There are speculations that Reyes is planning to seek an elective post in next year’s elections. His son unsuccessfully aspired for a congressional seat in 2007.

As for Atienza, he might try to reclaim the Manila mayor’s post from incumbent Alfredo Lim.

Before adjourning for their month-long Lenten break last week, CA members approved the promotion of several military officers, including former Presidential Security Group (PSG) commander Delfin Bangit.

Before getting the commission’s green light on his promotion from major general to lieutenant general, Bangit was grilled by opposition Sen. Panfilo Lacson on the claim of businesswoman Blanquita Pelaez that the officer, when he was PSG head, paid her to file charges against the senator.

Bangit denied Pelaez’s accusations.

Bangit is reportedly eyeing the post of Armed Forces chief of staff when Gen. Alexander Yano retires in June.

However, the most senior officer in line to succeed Yano is Army chief Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado.