The congressional Commission on Appointments (CA) said Sunday it received the papers of the new additions to President Marcos’ Cabinet, which the lawmakers would discuss once the session resumes on November 4.
CA Assistant Minority Leader and Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel was referring to the appointment papers of Interior Secretary Juanito Victor ‘Jonvic’ Remulla and Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Aldeguer-Roque.
“We already have Secretary Remulla’s papers, but we won’t be able to tackle his appointment for now because Congress is adjourned. We are not in session,” Pimentel said in a news release.
Remulla was officially appointed to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on October 8. Aldeguer-Roque was named acting secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on August 2.
Under the Constitution, Malacañang may issue key appointments while Congress is not in session, and such appointments are called ad interim appointments.
“Ad interim appointments have immediate effect. Thus, individuals with ad interim appointments may immediately enter upon the discharge of their functions,” Pimentel said.
Ad interim appointments cease to be valid upon disapproval by the CA or, if not confirmed, until the next adjournment of Congress, he said. Congress adjourned on Sept. 27 and would resume sessions on Nov. 4.
