Soliman finally hurdles CA committee

Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon 'Dinky' Soliman was finally able to hurdle on Wednesday the committee level of the Commission on Appointments, a radio report said.

 

Radio dzBB reported that the CA committee on labor, employment, and social welfare has recommended the confirmation of Soliman to the plenary. The plenary, however, cannot act on the same this Wednesday as it is not on their schedule.

 

Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago was supposed to block the confirmation of Soliman but she did not show up during the CA hearing.

 

The senator said she will invoke during Soliman's nomination Section 20 of the CA rules, which enables any of its members to defer the confirmation of a nominee without explanation or questions.

 

In 2011, Soliman's confirmation was deferred after Santiago questioned her affiliation with the Black and White Movement (BWM), a civil society group critical of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

 

Soliman was Social Welfare and Development Secretary for four years during Arroyo's administration, but resigned at the height of accusations that the former President rigged the 2004 polls.

 

She returned to her Cabinet post in 2010 after being appointed by President Benigno Aquino III. —Amita Legaspi/KG, GMA News