At A Glance
- The bicameral Commission on Appointments (CA) has received the ad interim appointment Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. from President Marcos, Surigao del Sur 2nd district Rep. Johnny Pimentel said.
DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. (Noel Pabalate/ MANILA BULLETIN)
The bicameral Commission on Appointments (CA) has received the ad interim appointment Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. from President Marcos.
“Secretary Laurel and Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa are on top of the new batch of 57 presidential appointees – mostly foreign service officers – awaiting their confirmation hearings,” CA Assistant Minority Leader and Surigao del Sur 2nd district Rep. Johnny Pimentel said.
Laurel took over the DA reins from President Marcos himself last Nov. 3.
Pimentel’s remarks cqme after fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) challenged Laurel to withdraw the Frabelle Group of Companies’ 944-hectare reclamation project in southeastern Manila Bay.
Before replacing Marcos as agriculture secretary, Laurel headed Frabelle as its president.
Marcos' ad interim appointment of Laurel is permanent in nature; however, it still warrants CA approval.
Meanwhile, the 55 newly-appointed Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) officials who are also pending confirmation hearings are all for promotions to new positions.
The CA is composed of the Senate President as the ex-officio chairman, 12 senators, and 12 members of the House of Representatives.
They are empowered by the 1987 Constitution to confirm or reject key presidential appointees, including Cabinet members.
“We would urge the public to submit to the CA secretariat any information, written report, or sworn/notarized complaints or oppositions to the appointees,” said Pimentel.
Pimentel expects the confirmation hearings to take place sooner than later considering that Congress is set to adjourn for the holidays on Dec. 16 and will not resume sessions until Jan. 22, 2024.
“Under CA rules, officials that fail to obtain the commission’s consent by the time Congress adjourns will have to be reappointed by Malacañang,” he added. --Dexter Barro II