GMA reappoints Atienza, Reyes, Recto

MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo has reappointed three members of her Cabinet who have been bypassed several times by the bicameral Commission on Appointments.

Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas, head of the House contingent to the body, said the three were Angelo Reyes of the Department of Energy, Jose Atienza of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Ralph Recto of the National Economic and Development Authority.

It was the eigth reappointment for Reyes and Atienza and the fourth for Recto.

The Palace may reappoint officials who have been bypassed or whose appointments had lapsed before they could be tackled by the CA.

Mrs. Arroyo has also reinstalled Elias Yusoph as commissioner of the seven-man Commission on Elections. It was his second reappointment to the post.

Also reappointed was Ricardo Saludo as chairman of the Civil Service Commission.

President Arroyo also reappointed 16 top military bureaucrats – a lieutenant general, three major generals, 10 brigadier generals and two commodores.

They were led by Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer, head of the AFP Eastern Mindanao Command in Davao City, and Maj. Gen. Romeo Prestoza, the chief of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces who once served as commander of the Presidential Security Group.

Malacañang earlier endorsed to the CA the promotion of 190 senior military officers and 18 foreign service officers.

As of yesterday, a total of 244 appointees or nominees were pending, according to Gullas.

The 1987 Constitution vests the CA with the power to approve presidential appointments, as part of institutional checks and balances.

Those whose appointments require the consent of the CA are department heads, ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, military officers from the rank of colonel or naval captain, and constitutional commission heads and members.

More stars for AFP top brass

President Arroyo has also named a new vice admiral, six new major generals, and 15 new brigadier generals of the AFP.

Gullas said the new vice admiral is Emilio Marayag Jr., AFP deputy chief of staff.

The new major generals are Anthony Alcantara, commander of the Army Training and Doctrine Command; Hilario Antendido, AFP deputy chief of staff for education and training; Antonio Bautista, adjutant general; Irineo Espino, Army chief of staff; Lino Horacio Lapinid, commander of the First Air Division; and Artemio Orozco, the Air Force inspector general.

Gullas said the 15 new brigadier generals are Emmanuel Amat, Rey Ardo, Eugenio Clemen, Noel Coballes, Francisco Cruz Jr., Lauro Catalino de la Cruz, Carlix Donila, Romeo Fajardo, Cipriano Gundao, Rolando Hautea Jr., Gregorio Macapagal, Joel Marayag, Celstino Pereyra, Gominto Pirino, and Pedro Rieza Jr.

“Their appointment papers are now with the CA,” Gullas said, adding that Mrs. Arroyo has also named 165 new colonels and three new naval captains. “All told, the Palace has endorsed to the CA the appointment papers of a fresh batch of 190 senior military officers.”