CA panel nods Lotilla’s appointment as Energy chief

After three hearings, the Commission on Appointments (CA) committee on energy finally approved the ad interim appointment of Raphael Lotilla as secretary of the Department of Energy (DOE).

The CA panel has suspended the deliberations on Lotilla's appointment twice

Before the CA committee approval, Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, who presided over the hearings, disclosed that SAGIP Rep. Rodante Marcoleta previously requested that the deliberations on Lotilla's appointment be conducted next year.

But Legarda said she and Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri "earnestly spoke" with Marcoleta and the contingents from the House of Representatives to proceed with the confirmation.

"[We spoke with them] realizing the urgency of the task at hand that you must be able to do your job well, efficiently, effectively without undue favors, in a fair manner as we know you will because this is a very important sector and this involves the Filipino people," Legarda said. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News