DOT chief first Cabinet exec recommended for confirmation

Despite qualms about his appointment, Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim on Tuesday became the first Cabinet secretary to be recommended by the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA) for confirmation. In an interview with reporters, Lim said he was "in a way" vindicated by the development because the CA tourism committee recommended him for confirmation just after two short hearings. "Nagpapasalamat ako sa CA na pumasa ako (I am thankful to the CA that I passed). It's really a matter of confidence that the Congress placed on me, and the President of course," he said. He noted, however, that it is still not the final step in his confirmation. The CA will meet in plenary on Wednesday to formally confirm his appointment as chief of the Department of Tourism. The bicameral body had earlier deferred Lim's confirmation after Travel Cooperative of the Philippines chairman Robert Lim Joseph expressed his formal opposition to the DOT chief's nomination. Joseph said Lim was an "incompetent" official for coming out with the controversial "Pilipinas Kay Ganda" (Philippines So Beautiful) campaign despite the objections from the people around him. He also accused Lim of prioritizing foreign interests for supposedly advocating an "unlimited" open skies policy. Lim, however, said that only Joseph thought of those things. "Congress noted it and they overcame the objections," he said. With this development, the DOT chief promised the CA that he will not let them down. "I will serve with integrity and with my fellow Filipinos first in my heart and my mind," he said. As of posting time, the CA hearing on the confirmation of Energy Sec. Jose Rene Almendras and Education Sec. Bro. Armin Luistro was ongoing. It will likewise hear the appointment of Agriculture Sec. Proceso Alcala on Wednesday. The CA is composed of the Senate president as its head and 12 senators and 12 congressmen as its members. The commission’s duty as mandated by the 1987 Constitution is to confirm appointments made by the President of the Philippines: the heads of the executive departments, ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, or officers of the Amed Forces from the rank of colonel or naval captain, except those of the Ombudsman and Supreme Court justices. The CA discusses and deliberates on nominations at the standing committee level and at the plenary session. Nominations or appointments may end up being confirmed, rejected or bypassed. — RSJ, GMANews.TV