THE congressional Commission on Appointments (CA) will conduct separate confirmation hearings on Tuesday, May 21, for Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac and a batch of 33 newly promoted military generals and colonels.
CA Assistant Minority Leader and Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel said Cacdac will be vetted by the CA’s Committee on Labor, Employment, Social Welfare and Migrant Workers chaired by Negros Occidental Rep. Mercedes Alvarez.
Pimentel said that on the same day, the CA’s Committee on National Defense chaired by Camiguin Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo will check the credentials of 33 senior military officers led by Army Lt. Gen. Facundo Palafox IV, the new commander of the unified Southern Luzon Command.
Besides Palafox, those set to face the Romualdo panel on Tuesday are Army Maj. Gen. Pablo Rustria Jr., Marine Brig. Gen. Rodyer Dela Peña, Marine Brig. Gen. Gregorio Hernandez Jr., and Air Force Brig. Gen. Genaro Menor.
“They will be weighed up along with 28 new colonels from the various armed services,” Pimentel said.
“Thus far, we are not aware of any formal complaints or oppositions filed against any of the appointees lined up for confirmation,” Pimentel said.
In March, the CA did not give its consent to an Army colonel’s rank promotion to brigadier general after his estranged wife put up a challenge on the grounds of alleged physical abuse, adultery, and neglect in providing financial support to their children.
CA confirmation hearings represent a crucial check on Malacañang’s power to appoint key officials.
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.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri has called the entire 25-member CA to a caucus and plenary session on Tuesday, immediately after the proceedings of the Alvarez and Romualdo panels, according to Pimentel.
Congress is set to adjourn on May 25 and won’t resume session until July 22.
Under existing rules, appointees that fail to obtain the CA’s consent upon adjournment are considered to have been bypassed.
