Appointments body OKs 3 more Cabinet execs

The Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday approved the appointments of three more Cabinet secretaries — Mario Montejo of Department of Science and Technology, Rosalinda Baldoz of Department of Labor and Employment, Enrique Ona of Department of Health. Alagad party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte, and Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. sponsored the confirmation of Montejo, Baldoz, and Ona, respectively, during Wednesday's plenary session. Marcoleta said Montejo deserves to hold his post because of his experience in the sciences while Sen. Franklin Drilon called Baldoz a "rare breed" who remained "untarnished" during her 36 years in government service. Revilla, for his part, called Ona a true leader who deserves a state appointment. "I trust that you will make our country proud," he told Ona during his sponsorship speech. The Commission made the approval after three separate panels conducted hearings on the three Cabinet secretaries' nominations earlier in the day. No formal oppositions were made against the appointments of Montejo and Baldoz during the hearings. On the other hand, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago withdrew her opposition to Ona's appointment after the secretary wrote her a letter addressing her concerns. Other Cabinet executives The CA had earlier confirmed the appointments of Luistro, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Budget Sec. Florencio "Butch" Abad, Trade Sec. Gregory Domingo, Energy Sec. Jose Rene Almendras, Tourism Sec. Alberto Lim, Agriculture Sec. Proceso Alcala, and Public Works Sec. Rogelio Singson. On the other hand, the confirmation of Defense Sec. Voltaire Gazmin and Agrarian Reform Sec. Virgilio delos Reyes were earlier deferred pending questions regarding their appointment. 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 Constitution is to confirm all appointments made by the President of the Philippines, 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. - Kimberly Jane Tan/KBK, GMA News