Senators vow speedy confirmation process for Roxas, Abaya

By KIMBERLY JANE TAN, GMA News

Published August 31, 2012 2:57pm

Senators on Friday vowed a speedy confirmation process for Secretary Mar Roxas and Cavite Rep. Jun Abaya once their appointment papers have been submitted to the bicameral Commission on Appointments (CA).

"I trust that the Palace will immediately transmit his [Roxas] appointment papers to the [CA] so that we can confirm Secretary Roxas as soon as possible," Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said in a statement.

Earlier in the day, President Benigno Aquino III announced the appointment of Roxas the secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Abaya as the head of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

Roxas will take over the DILG vacancy caused by the death of Jesse Robredo, who died following a plane crash in Masbate on August 18. On the other hand, Abaya will be taking over Roxas' post at the DOTC. Both Roxas and Abaya are ranking members of the ruling Liberal Party: Roxas is party president while Abaya is secretary-general. Confirmation process

In announcing the new designations, Aquino said he cannot issue an ad interim appointment for the two officials because Congress is still in session.

"Congress is in session now so they cannot assume on an ad interim basis. The Constitution says that [the] Commission on Appointments has to confirm [appointments]. So that is why we are asking the Commission on Appointments to act...on the nominations of both gentlemen," he said.

According to the CA website, there are two kinds of presidential appointments: those made during the session of Congress or the so-called regular appointments or nominations and those made during the recess of Congress known as ad interim appointments.

It said that regular appointments go through four stages: nomination, consent, appointment, and acceptance by the nominee.

"What the President sends to the commission is just a nomination. After the commission has given its consent, the President issues the appointment. It is only when the last stage has been completed may the officer concerned take his oath of office," it said.

On the other hand, an ad interim appointment has two stages: appointment and confirmation. The CA also said it is "permanent in nature and takes effect immediately."

However, it said the appointment becomes invalid if it is disapproved or bypassed by the CA.

Smooth sailing

In a separate statement, Sen. Franklin Drilon said the CA members "assure [the] immediate facilitation of their [Roxas and Abaya] appointments."

"Both Sec. Roxas and Congressman Jun Abaya are qualified, competent and decent public servants so they should expect smooth sailing in the CA," added Senator Antonio Trillanes IV in a text message to GMA News Online.

For his part, Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III said in a text message to GMA News Online that it would be "better" for him to not issue any comment about Roxas' confirmation since he chairs the CA committee on local government.

Senator Francis Pangilinan, for his part, just wished the two well in their new assignments.

Enrile, meanwhile, said he hopes Roxas will stay "long enough" at the DILG to be able "to pick up from where Robredo left off and to continue to honor his lasting legacy."

"I believe that Secretary Roxas is well prepared for and can step up to this Herculean task [of replacing Robredo]. All of us who mourn the passing of our beloved friend Jesse and who celebrate his legacy as a public servant will do well to throw our full support to his appointed successor," he said.

In a separate statement on Friday, Senator Teofisto Guingona III likewise said there "couldn't have been a worthier replacement" for Robredo.

"Roxas espouses similar virtues and principles which include good governance and transparency in govt transactions. Mar is a rare gem in public service, bringing proven leadership and competence into an important department like DILG," he said.

"[Roxas] has the full trust of the President and he shares the same vision with the President which is crucial in putting forward the reforms that the administration has envisioned for the local government and which the late Secretary Jesse Robredo had started," added Drilon.

Roxas had served as a senator between 2004 and 2010. 'Trapo' admin?

But not everyone seems to share the sentiments of the senators.

For one, the Anakbayan group said the appointments show how "hypocritical and unabashedly trapo" the Aquino administration is.

"The KKK appointment shows Aquino's insincerity and hypocrisy regarding accolades he has given Robredo. This is in addition to the fact that when Robredo was alive, Aquino failed to rally the Liberal Party to confirm Robredo's appointment and made him share the DILG with "kabarilan" Ronaldo Puno," it said.

"Roxas' appointment smacks of patronage politics and will further strengthen the trapo ways of government, considering that elections are fast approaching," it added.

The group likewsiee said that the urban poor should "strengthen the fight" against the demolition of their homes because it is "certain that Roxas the landlord" will not exercise the "concern and leniency" for the poor that Robredo has shown.

"Roxas is sure to further the interests of capitalists and oppressive landlord clans. This is the worst possible tribute he could give Robredo," it said. — RSJ, GMA News

Tags: dilg, marroxas, junabaya, dotc, commissiononappointments