JV still CA member

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito is still a member of the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA) despite the lifting of the 90-day suspension against Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile last week.

Senate acting minority leader Vicente Sotto III made the manifestation before plenary on Tuesday, barely a week after Senate President Franklin Drilon lifted the suspension against Enrile.

Enrile had nominated Ejercito as to take his seat in the 25-man CA body after he was detained last July at the Philippine National Police (PNP) General Hopsital at Camp Crame in Quezon City. Sotto was also appointed as acting minority leader in Enrile’s behalf.

Ejercito has been given the marching orders from November 30 onwards to continue doing his duties as member of the powerful body that confirms the appointments of members of the Cabinet.

The senators present during Tuesday's plenary proceedings did not object to Sotto’s manifestation. Drilon concurred with the move.

Enrile, along with Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Revilla Jr, were suspended by the Sandiganbayan over the plunder charges filed against them in connection with misuse of their Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

The 90-day suspension orders against Enrile and Estrada ended on November 28 and November 29, respectively. Revilla’s suspension will lapse next year.

Besides Drilon being the body's chairman, Senators Teofisto Guingona III, Sotto, Alan Cayetano, Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Loren Legarda, Jinggoy Estrada, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr, Sergio Osmena III, Ralph Recto, Koko Pimentel III and Antonio Trillanes IV are also members of the Senate contingent.