360 President Marcos appointees awaiting CA confirmation

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Appointments (CA) will be screening the qualifications of 360 appointees of President Marcos as Congress resumes session today following a four-month recess.

“Our understanding is that Senate President Francis Escudero wants all pending appointments processed before Congress adjourns sine die on June 13,” Assistant Minority Leader Rep. Johnny Pimentel said.

He said five separate CA committees will convene on June 3 and 4 to begin deliberations on the qualifications of Marcos’ key appointees.

Among those to be vetted tomorrow are Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon II, Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Rhoel Aguda and Presidential Communications Office Secretary Jay Ruiz.

Confirmation hearings will continue on June 4 for Commissioners Noli Pipo and Maria Norina Tangaro-Casingal of the Commission on Elections, Luis Meinrado Pañgulayan of the Civil Service Commission and Douglas Michael Mallillin of the Commission on Audit.

In addition, 294 high-ranking military officers will be vetted across multiple hearings scheduled on June 4, 10 and 11.

Fifty-eight senior foreign service officers are also set to undergo confirmation proceedings on June 11.

Appointees not confirmed by June 13 will have to be reappointed by the President and undergo a new vetting process before a reconstituted CA in the 20th Congress.

The 25-member CA is constitutionally mandated to confirm or reject key presidential appointments based on merit and integrity. It is composed of 12 senators, 12 House members and the Senate President as ex-officio presiding officer.