Malacañang said Thursday, June 2, it respects the Commission on Appointments (CA) although it bypassed the confirmation of the recent appointment of three top Commission on Elections (Comelec) by outgoing President Duterte.
"We recognize the power vested by the Constitution in the Commission on Appointments and further respect its authority to confirm appointments made by the President," Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said in a statement.
The Palace's remark came after the ad interim appointments of Comelec Chairman Saidamen Pangarungan and Commissioners George Garcia and Aimee Torrefranca-Neri were not confirmed by the CA Committee on Constitutional Commissions and Offices when it adjourned its session on Wednesday due to lack of quorum or the minimum required number of lawmakers present before a hearing should proceed.
The non-confirmation of the commissioners' apppointments leaves an opportunity for incoming President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to select his preferred Comelec members.