The Commission on Appointments (CA) confirmed on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, a slew of key presidential appointments just before Congress adjourns for the Christmas break.
It was a particularly emotional confirmation that Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Ernesto Ferdinand P. Maceda went through as Senator Grace Poe recalled her family’s closeness to the late mother of the nominee, Marichu Vera Perez-Maceda, who was a show business stalwart like the senator’s late father Fernando Poe Jr.
Maceda is also the son of the late former Senate president Ernesto M. Maceda.
Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri told Maceda that his father must be looking down at him with pride.
Senator Jose ‘’Jinggoy’’ Ejercito Estrada noted that Maceda’s father was a friend of his father former President Joseph ‘’Erap’’ Estrada, while his mother, more popularly known as “Manay Ichu”, was his godmather.
Also confirmed on Wednesday were Cabinet members Transportation Secretary Jaime Jimenez Bautista, National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary General Arsenio M. Balisacan, and Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar.
Also getting the CA’s nod was Nelson Java Celis, an information and technology expert, as Comelec commissioner vice Aimee Torrefranca Neri. His tenure ends Feb, 23, 2029.
Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Superintendent Rowen S. Tolentino led the 54 generals and senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) whose promotions were also confirmed by the CA.
Tolentino was confirmed as Lieutenant General, while Jovencio F. Gonzales and Moises M. Navy Jr. earned their first stars as brigadier generals. Philippine Navy’s Fatima Claire S. Navarro was confirmed as captain.
On recommendation of Estrada, six diplomats, including two ambassadors, were also confirmed.
Meanwhile, the CA bypassed the appointments of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Erwin Tulfo and Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual.
Also bypassed was Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ambassador Manuel Teehankee.