THE Commission on Appointments (CA) is gearing up for a packed schedule as Congress resumes session on Monday, June 2, following a four-month recess.
CA Assistant Minority Leader and Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel said five separate CA committees will convene on June 3 and 4 to begin deliberations on the qualifications of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s key appointees.
“We are set to tackle the confirmation of 360 appointees and nominees in the coming days,” Pimentel announced. “Our understanding is that Senate President Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero wants all pending appointments processed before Congress adjourns sine die on June 13.”
The 19th Congress is scheduled to adjourn its final session on June 13. Appointees not confirmed by then will need to be reappointed by the President and undergo a new vetting process before a reconstituted CA in the 20th Congress.
Among those to be vetted on Tuesday, June 3, are Transportation Secretary Vivencio “Vince” Dizon II, Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Rhoel Aguda, and Presidential Communications Office Secretary Jaybee Carbonel.
Confirmation hearings will continue on Wednesday, June 4, for Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioners Noli Pipo and Maria Norina Tangaro-Casingal, Civil Service Commission (CSC) Commissioner Luis Meinrado Pañgulayan, and Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Douglas Michael Mallillin.
In addition, a total of 294 high-ranking military officers will be vetted across multiple hearings scheduled on June 4, 10, and 11.
Meanwhile, 58 senior foreign service officers are also set to undergo confirmation proceedings on June 11.
To facilitate the confirmation process, CA caucuses and plenary sessions have been scheduled for June 3, 4, 10, and 11, according to Pimentel.
The 25-member CA is constitutionally mandated to confirm or reject key presidential appointments based on merit and integrity. It is composed of 12 senators, 12 House members, and the Senate President as ex-officio presiding officer.
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