Saludo appointment as CSC chair nixed by CA

The Commission on Appointments on Wednesday rejected the appointment of Ricardo Saludo as chairman of Civil Service Commission (CSC) because "he failed to meet the minimum qualification for the post." Agusan del Sur Rep. Rodolfo Plaza, CA vice chairman, moved for the rejection of Saludo’s ad interim appointment and nomination. “There is a consensus from the House contingent that the ad interim appointment of Ricardo L. Saludo is not consistent with the minimum requirement as required to chair the Civil Service Commission," Plaza told the plenary. He said the CSC is a quasi-judicial body that chairs and decides on cases of government officials. “It is our belief and contention that the minimum requirement should be at least a member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (or a lawyer)," said Plaza. Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile approved Plaza’s motion. Because of the CA rejection, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo can no longer appoint Saludo on the same post. In an interview, Plaza said it was the first time the CA rejected an appointment. He was quoted by a radio station saying Saludo's biggest problem was his refusal to talk with members of the commission. Malacañang expressed surprise over the action taken by the CA. “We don't know why the CA rejected him. He is a very professional person," deputy presidential spokesman Anthony Golez said. Saludo was a journalist before joining the government in 2001. Early in his career, he became the editor-in-chief of the Makati Business Club - Research Team before moving on to foreign shores to work for prominent international media outfits including the Hongkong-based Asiaweek Magazine where he eventually became its assistant managing editor and special projects editor from 1996 until 2001. Saludo was also the Asian affairs commentator for the Cable News Network (CNN) and CNBC Asia from 1995 until 2001. He joined the government in 2001 as undersecretary and head of the Policy Group of the Presidential Management Staff. In 2002, he was appointed as Cabinet secretary and later deputy presidential spokesperson, a position he gave up in September 2004 to focus on his work as Cabinet secretary. He was appointed to the top CSC post in early 2008 after Karina C. David retired. Golez said the Palace will just wait for recommendations to the Office of the Executive Secretary from the Search Committee. House Speaker Prospero Nograles said he was surprised by the reason cited by the House contingent in the CA in rejecting Saludo’s appointment. In a text message to GMANews.TV, he said there is nothing in the Philippine Constitution that says only a lawyer can head the CSC. Nograles cited Art. IX, B, Sec. 1 of the Philippine Constitution, which says: “The civil service shall be administered by the Civil Service Commission composed of a Chairman and two Commissioners who shall be natural-born citizens of the Philippines and, at the time of their appointment, at least thirty-five years of age, with proven capacity for public administration, and must not have been candidates for any elective position in the elections immediately preceding their appointment." - Amita O. Legaspi, GMANews.TV