SAGIP party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta was removed by the leadership of the Lower House of Congress from the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA).
In the last session of the House on Wednesday night, House deputy majority leader and Iloilo City Rep. Jam Baronda nominated Manila Teachers party-list Rep. Virgilio Lacson as Marcoleta’s replacement in the CA.
Marcoleta is known as an ally of Vice President Sara Duterte, whom he defended during the budget hearing of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) because the House allegedly did not follow the tradition of not scrutinizing the budget of the vice president.
The CA, composed of 12 senators and 12 congressmen, decides on the approval of appointments of Cabinet members, Ambassadors, and promotions in the ranks of members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Aside from being accepted as a member of the House committees on energy, justice, public accounts, and constitutional amendments, Lacson replaced Marcoleta.
Marcoleta was first removed as vice chairman of the House committee on good government and public accountability, which was investigating the alleged misuse of funds by the OVP and the Department of Education (DepEd) during the time of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Marcoleta was also not made a member of the committee, limiting his actions when investigating Duterte’s alleged anomalous use of funds, particularly the Confidential and Intelligence Funds (CIF).
Because of this, Marcoleta is now considered an ordinary member of the House, and although he can still attend hearings in the House, he is no longer allowed to vote or introduce any motions.
