CA elects new officers

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Appointments (CA) elected yesterday its new set of officers during its first plenary session in the 20th Congress.

Camiguin Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo was elected acting majority floor leader, while Pangasinan 5th District Rep. Ramon Guico Jr. was re-elected vice chair. Sen. Joel Villanueva and Ako Bicol Rep. Alfredo Garbin, on the other hand, were named assistant majority leaders.

On the minority side, Reps. Allan Ty and Tonypet Albano will serve as assistant minority leaders, with Sen. Risa Hontiveros chosen as their minority floor leader.

The CA, composed of members of both chambers of Congress, is mandated under the 1987 Constitution to confirm or reject key presidential appointments, including Cabinet secretaries, ambassadors and senior military officers.

Hontiveros, who was nominated by Senate Deputy Minority Leader Miguel Zubiri, said her election was a “big honor” and vowed that the minority bloc would be thorough in the confirmation process.

“It is a great honor to be elected by my colleagues as the minority leader in the Commission on Appointments. We will work hard to ensure that the CA conscientiously fulfills its mandate in confirming or rejecting key appointments by the President,” she said in Filipino.

“We will strive to ensure that only individuals with the right qualifications and love for the country will pass through the CA confirmation process,” she added.