CA unlikely to act on pending promotions

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Appointments (CA) may not have enough time nor the quorum to act on pending promotions and nominations as the 17th Congress is set to adjourn in less than two weeks.

 CA records showed more than 150 promotions and appointments pending before the bicameral body, the bulk of which were promotions of military officials to colonel or higher.

The lack of time for the CA was brought mainly by the nearly four-month congressional break that started last Feb. 9 to pave the way for the national and local electoral campaign.

The Senate and the House of Representatives—whose respective contingents comprise the CA—resumed session last May 20 and will finally adjourn on June 7.

The CA meets only every Wednesday, this means the body only has two Wednesdays left to tackle the numerous promotions and two appointments.

 Some CA members from the House have also either lost their bids for reelection or have ended their terms, which could pose problems in terms of quorum.

Pending were the nominations of Noel Gimenez Tijam as member of the Judicial and Bar Council, representing academe; and Jean Alyia Yasin Robles as Foreign Service Officer IV.

The panel also has yet to receive the appointment papers for the top posts in the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

President Duterte earlier indicated that he was not keen on appointing a permanent secretary of the DBM, which is currently headed by Undersecretary Janet Abuel as officer-in-charge.

Acting DICT Secretary Eliseo Rio is expected to be replaced by Sen. Gregorio Honasan when his term expires on June 30.