The powerful 25-member Commission on Appointments (CA) chaired by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri is ready to check the fitness of appointees of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to hold key government positions through public hearings.
This came as the CA named Pangasinan 5th district Rep. Ramon Guico Jr. as the CA vice chairman.
The Senate President automatically assumes the top CA post or the chairmanship.
Named majority leader was Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. Luis Raymund ‘’LRay" Villafuerte Jr. while Sagip Party-List Rep. Rodante Marcoleta was elected as assistant majority leader.
Former House Speaker and now Senator Alan Peter Cayetano was elected minority leader.
Senator Risa Hontiveros said she is concerned over Cayetano being the CA minority leader because the latter is not an original member of the Senate minority bloc.
Cayetano had said that he became an independent minority senator after he did not vote for Zubiri in the recent election of Senate officers.
Named assistant minority leaders were Reps. Jose Gay Padiernos (GP Party-list) and Johnny Ty Pimentel (Surigao del Sur 2nd district).
Former Senate Secretary Myra Marie Villarica was elected as CA secretary.
The CA also named the other panel members as chairmen of its various committees.