By Philippine News Agency and Mario Casayuran
The Commission on Appointments (CA) on Tuesday formally amended its rules on the appointment of nominees, adopting a "three-strike you are out" rule.
Effective Wednesday, March 8, the CA would decide whether to confirm or reject an appointee or nominee who has been bypassed three times by the bicameral body.
Two other rules were adopted by the CA in plenary session presided by Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, one of which is a third mode of voting which is via ballot.
"Aside from ayes and nays, raising of hands, we introduced a third mode of voting, ballot, it will now be a recognized mode of voting in CA," Pimentel told reporters in an interview.
The CA has also shortened the required minimum period to notify the members of a committee about its hearings to 24 hours.
“Upon receipt of the commission of the nomination or appointment of President, the chairman can immediately refer it to the committee chairman so that they can start hearings,” Pimentel explained.
Before, the CA would still wait for the completion of the papers of the appointee or nominee. Now it will be the committee chair’s responsibility to remind the appointee or nominee to complete his papers.
Pimentel said that the new rules were decided based on the collective wisdom of the members of the CA.
Sen. Vicente Sotto III said that the panel has retained the same members despite the reorganization that took place in the Senate last February 27.
The CA committees resume public hearings on Wednesday on the appointments of Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Regina Paz ‘’Gina’’ Lopez and Department of Health (DoH) Secretary Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial.