Zubiri to Cabinet execs: Snub Senate hearings, risk CA rejection

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri on Wednesday warned members of President Benigno Aquino III’s cabinet that they should not "snub" Senate hearings, or else they will find it difficult getting the nod of the Commission on Appointments (CA). Zubiri said that some senators who will probably become CA members — but who he did not identify — are fed up with Cabinet secretaries who persist in not attending the hearings being conducted by the Senate. "It's a big mistake na ini-snub nila ang mga hearing sa Senado lalung-lalo na hinahabol nila ang kanilang (that they snub Senate hearings especially since they are chasing after their) appointment," he said, noting that some senators might vent their anger on them during the CA hearings. Frustration Zubiri explained that some senators are frustrated because the presence of the Cabinet secretaries during congressional hearings is essential in accomplishing the country’s legislative agenda. "Kailangan po natin ng mga secretaries who are alter egos of the President para malaman po natin ang agenda ng ating administration (We need the secretaries who are alter egos of the President so that we will know the administration agenda)," he said. Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, however, said that much will depend on the Cabinet executives’ reasons for their absence. "Kung wala silang rason at basta nila binalewala yung committee... may magko-complain sa CA, lalabas ‘yun (If they have no valid reason and just disregard the committee, someone will complain at the CA and it will come up)," Enrile said in a separate interview. He likewise said that “no-show" secretaries need to send a letter to the Senate explaining their absence during a particular hearing. Senator Francis Escudero, for his part, said that it is already "sufficient" that Cabinet secretaries send their representatives to Senate hearings, as long as they have the authority to answer for their department. "Basta kaya niyang i-bind yung kanyang secretary, okay lang kahit yon ang ipadala niya (As long as the representative can bind his secretary, it's alright to send him instead)," Escudero said in another interview on Wednesday. As of posting time, the Senate has yet to decide on the composition of the CA. Only Enrile, as Senate President, automatically becomes a member of the commission.—Kimberly Jane T. Tan/JV, GMANews.TV