DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla (Facebook)

The Commission on Appointments (CA) has received the appointment papers of newly installed Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Surigao del Sur 2nd district Rep. Johnny Pimentel said on Sunday, Oct. 13. 

However, the bicameral CA won't be able to take up Remulla’s papers immediately. 

“We already have Secretary Remulla’s papers, but we won’t be able to tackle his appointment for now because Congress is adjourned. We are not in session,” said Pimentel, CA assistant minority leader. 

Congress went recess on Sept. 27 and won’t resume sessions until Nov. 4. 

President Marcos appointed Remulla--erstwhile governor of Cavite--as head of the DILG on Oct. 8. His papers were received by CA the next day. 

Remulla succeeded Benhur Abalos, who earlier resigned as DILG secretary to run for a Senate seat under the administration’s Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas ticket in the 2025 mid-term elections. 

Remulla had intended to run for his third consecutive term as provincial governor of Cavite in the forthcoming polls but withdrew his candidacy the day before his Cabinet appointment. 

The DILG is the executive department responsible for promoting peace and order, ensuring public safety, and strengthening local government capability to deliver basic services. 

Remulla is the younger brother of Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla. 

Pimentel stated that the CA has also received the appointment papers of newly designated Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ma. Cristina Aldeguer-Roque. 

The founder of the Kamiseta Group of Companies, Aldeguer-Roque replaced Alfredo Pascual, who resigned as head of the DTI to return to the private sector. 

Under the Constitution, Malacañang may issue key appointments while Congress is not in session, and such appointments are called ad interim appointments. 

“Ad interim appointments have immediate effect. Thus, individuals with ad interim appointments may immediately enter upon the discharge of their functions,” Pimentel said. 

Ad interim appointments cease to be valid upon disapproval by the CA or, if not confirmed, until the next adjournment of Congress, according to Pimentel. 

The Constitution empowers the 25-member CA to vet the competence, fitness, and integrity of Cabinet members and other key presidential appointees, and to approve or reject them. 

The CA is composed of 12 members each from the House of Representatives and the Senate, with the Senate President as ex officio presiding officer.