Palace: Justice chief unfazed by CA rejection

MANILA, Philippines - Justice Secretary Leila de Lima is not bothered that the Commission on Appointments (CA) has continuously rejected her appointment for three and a half years, Malacañang said yesterday.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said they do not see any indication that the delay has affected De Lima’s tenacity. 

“So far, she continues to work with passion... an observation from someone who gets to work with her on a regular basis,” she said. “None that she’s conveyed to me at least. In my conversations with her recently, she has not mentioned anything.” 

Valte said De Lima is prepared to defend her case before the CA, where she has resubmitted the requirements needed for her confirmation.

“Once scheduled for confirmation hearing, she is ready to answer questions from members of the Commission on Appointments,” she said. In a statement, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said they will continue to submit the names of bypassed Cabinet secretaries to Congress. 

“We believe that these Cabinet members have been fulfilling their jobs, and they will continue to explain to the CA, if there’s a necessity to do so,” he said.

Lacierda vouched for the character and integrity of audit commissioner Heidi Mendoza, who also failed to hurdle the CA.

“With respect to Commissioner Heidi Mendoza – (in) her role as commissioner of COA, she has done a good job together with Chairman Grace Tan,” he said.

Lacierda said the Commission on Audit (COA) under the leadership of Tan and Mendoza won the Bright Spot award during the Open Governance Participation Summit in London recently. 

He said Tan spoke recently in Washington on “citizens’ engagement in the auditing process, and that’s the citizens’ participatory audit, which is also being managed by both chairman Tan and commissioner Mendoza.”   Other Cabinet secretaries failing CA confirmation are Ramon Paje of Environment and Natural Resources, Corazon Soliman of Social Work and Development, and Jericho Petilla of Energy.

President Aquino has reportedly issued reappointments to De Lima, Paje and Soliman.

Petilla was appointed only in October 2012. Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the four bypassed Cabinet secretaries still have the trust and confidence of Aquino.

Senate President Franklin Drilon, CA overall chairman, said Aquino should issue new ad interim appointments to De Lima, Paje, Soliman, and Petilla.

De Lima, Paje and Soliman assumed office in mid-2010 when Aquino assumed office.