By Liza Soriano

MANILA — The Commission on Appointments confirmed Sonny Angara’s ad interim appointment as the new Secretary of the Department of Education on Wednesday, August 7, 2024.

Senate President and CA Chairperson Francis Escudero announced Angara’s confirmation after a motion by CA Majority Floor Leader Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr. during the plenary session.

CA Education Committee Chairperson Sen. Raffy Tulfo expressed his full support for Angara’s confirmation.

“With these reasons, not even mentioning the Secretary’s academic achievements, awards, and public service work, I know that Sec. Sonny will be more than capable of leading the country to a better future for the students he will take under his wing,” Tulfo said.

Meanwhile, Escudero noted that this was not the first time Angara’s appointment was confirmed quickly.

“In my view, this is appropriate and deserved as a courtesy to him. This is not the first time this has been done, and it has been a tradition for former members of both the Senate and the House,” he said.

(ia/mnm)

By Liza Soriano

MANILA — The Commission on Appointments (CA) deferred the deliberations on the appointment of Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac due to time constraints, according to Senate President Chiz Escudero.

Escudero mentioned on Tuesday (21 May 2024) that the decision was deferred and might be rescheduled for Wednesday, just days before the adjournment.

“It was deferred today, so I haven’t used the term ‘bypass’ yet. It was deferred today, and I’m not sure if it will happen tomorrow; it depends on whether the House’s stance changes,” Escudero said.

“If the House’s stance changes, then we’ll convene tomorrow. We’re here, and we’ll still confirm him tomorrow; he won’t be bypassed,” he added.

CA Assistant Minority Leader and Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel previously confirmed that the deliberations would take place on Tuesday.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Liza Soriano

MANILA — The Commission on Appointments (CA) has approved the appointments of 16 foreign service officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday, May 15, 2024.

No member of Congress voted against the designation of the DFA officials, as discussed by the CA foreign affairs panel.

Those approved include:

Chief of Mission, Class I

Maria Elena Palo Algabre
Celeste Vinzon Balatbat
Paul Raymund Pasion Cortes
Arvin Reyes De Leon
Francisco Noel Rio Fernandez
Patrick John Uytiepo Hilado

Chief of Mission, Class II

Iric Cruz Arribas
Renato Ner Dueñas Jr.
Emmanuel Revilla Fernandez
Raphael Sta. Cruz Hermoso
Pablito Austria Mendoza
Noel Mangaoang Novicio
Rhenita Balagtas Rodriguez
Gunther Emil Mayo Sales
Arnel Gonio Talisayon

Career Minister

Rea Galanao Oreta

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Liza Soriano

MANILA — Following his bypass in September by the Commission on Appointments (CA), Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa has successfully secured approval from the influential commission.

During the Committee on Health hearing within the CA, Majority Leader Congressman Luis Raymond Villafuerte proposed a motion for the committee to endorse the ad interim appointment of Herbosa, which received unanimous approval from the members.

It is noteworthy that this marks Herbosa’s second appearance before the panel, as he was previously bypassed in September due to the extensive questioning by lawmakers and time constraints during the session break.

Promptly after being bypassed by the CA, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. reappointed Herbosa.

Prior to granting approval for the Secretary’s ad interim appointment, lawmakers posed several inquiries, notably addressing the low utilization of DOH funds in the year 2022.

Ultimately, senators and congressmen declared their “manifestation of support” for Herbosa.

(ai/mnm)

By Junex Doronio

LOOKS LIKE PRESIDENTIAL BUDDY Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. will have rough sailing for his confirmation hearing as opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros has expressed her firm resolve to grill fishing magnate-turned-Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on the veracity of “murmurs of conflict of interest.”

Hontiveros pointed out that the government’s policies on food security under the DA “should not be compromised for corporate and oligarchic interests.”

The democratic socialist lawmaker who will be the likely opposition standard bearer in 2028 stated on Friday, November 3, after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced Laurel’s appointment as the new DA chief.

On the other hand, national democrat House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro said on Friday that the appointment of Laurel Jr. as the new DA Secretary smacks of a political payback since the fishing magnate contributed at least P30 million to the presidential bid of Marcos Jr. in the 2022 elections through the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP).

“We will await Secretary Tiu-Laurel when he goes before the Commission on Appointments, so these issues affecting his capacity to lead the DA can be scrutinized and the concerns of our peasant farmers and fisherfolk discussed,” Hontiveros said.

Laurel is president of Frabelle Fishing Corporation, a seafood production company that was first established in 1966.

On its website, Frabelle owns “a fleet of over 100 vessels and a growing workforce of 5,000.”

It is described as a “go-to source for fresh, frozen, and processed seafood, with a market that extends to Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South Africa, and the United States.”

“Handa akong makinig at makatrabaho kayo,” said Laurel at a press conference on Friday.

“Higit sa lahat, ako’y handang magtrabaho para sa inyo.” Laurel promised the agricultural sector.

Despite her reservations about Laurel’s appointment, Hontiveros has expressed hope that long-standing issues in the agriculture sector will be finally addressed with the assumption of a full-time secretary at the DA’s helm. (ai/mnm)