CA panels recommend DOST, DOLE chiefs for confirmation

(Updated 11:36 a.m.) Two Commission on Appointments (CA) panels on Wednesday recommended for confirmation Mario Montejo as the secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Rosalinda Baldoz as the secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). The CA committees on science and technology and labor, employment, and social welfare made the recommendations after no formal oppositions were made against the appointments of Montejo and Baldoz. "I express my sincere appreciation and I promise that I will keep your trust and confidence," Baldoz told the CA members after the hearing. The CA will tackle the recommendations in plenary on Wednesday afternoon. Another CA panel will also tackle the nomination of Health Sec. Enrique Ona before plenary. The CA had earlier confirmed the appointments of Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Budget Sec. Florencio "Butch" Abad, Trade Sec. Gregory Domingo, Energy Sec. Jose Rene Almendras, Education Sec. Armin Luistro, Tourism Sec. Alberto Lim, Agriculture Sec. Proceso Alcala, and Public Works Sec. Rogelio Singson. On the other hand, the confirmation of Ona, Defense Sec. Voltaire Gazmin, Agrarian Reform Sec. Virgilio delos Reyes were earlier deferred pending questions regarding their appointment. — Kimberly Jane Tan/RSJ, GMA News