Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac (Photo courtesy of DMW)

Newly-designated Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac's confirmation hearing with the Commission on Appointments (CA) is coming later this month, CA Assistant Minority Leader Surigao del Sur 2nd district Rep. Johnny Pimentel bared on Sunday, May 5. 

“We already have Secretary Cacdac’s appointment papers from Malacañang, together with the promotion papers of eight military generals and 17 career diplomats,” Pimentel said in a statement. 

Pimentel said he expects Cacdac and the other appointees to be vetted by the CA before the second regular session of Congress adjourns sine die on May 25. 

President Marcos appointed Cacdac as secretary of DMW last April 25. Before that, the latter served as DMW officer-in-charge for seven months. 

“We would encourage the public to send to the CA Secretariat any information, written report, or complaints or oppositions to the appointees,” said the National Unity Party (NUP) stalwart. 

In March, the CA bypassed an Army colonel’s promotion to brigadier general following the strong opposition by his estranged wife on the grounds of alleged physical abuse, adultery, and neglect in providing financial support to their children. 

The Constitution empowers the 25-member CA to scrutinize the competence, fitness and integrity of 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. 

Pimentel named the military generals awaiting CA confirmation of their promotions as follows: 

·      Lt. Gen. Fernando Reyeg, Armed Forces deputy chief of staff for operations;
·      Air Force Maj. Gen. Pablo Rustria Jr., commander of Air Installation and Base Development Command;
·      Air Force Brig. Gen. Genaro Menor, deputy wing commander of  Tactical Operations Wing Eastern Mindanao;
·      Marine Brig. Gen. Gregorio Hernandez Jr., commander of Combat Support Brigade;
·      Army Brig. Gen. Romulus Joseph Canieso, chief of the unified command staff of the Northern Luzon Command;
·      Commodore Felipe Bautista;
·      Commodore Diosdado Caluya Jr.; and
·      Commodore Vincent Sibala. 

Meanwhile, the new batch of career diplomats awaiting their confirmation hearings is led by Ambassadors Paul Raymond Cortes and Celeste Vinzon-Balatbat. They were both promoted to the rank of Chief of Mission I. 

Cortez and Vinzon-Balatbat are the country’s sitting ambassadors to Portugal and Chile, respectively.