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Friday, March 29, 2024

CA confirms Medialdea, Lorenzana

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THE powerful Commission on Appointments confirmed Wednesday the ad interim appointments of Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

Medialdea breezed through the CA plenary, a few hours after his appointment was approved at the committee level in less than two minutes.

The CA committee on government corporations and other offices hastily moved for the confirmation of Medialdea, known as the “Little President.”

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, a known ally of President Rodrigo Duterte, immediately moved to confirm Medialdea after the latter’s brief introduction of himself. 

Confirmed. Senate President Aquilino Koko Pimentel, chairman of the congressional Commission on Appointment, replicates the signature fist sign that his ally President Rodrigo Duterte used while still campaigning for the presidency after the confirmation of the appointments of Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea (left) and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. Lino Santos

Senator Loren Legarda, a member of the panel, seconded Zubiri’s motion.

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Senate President Pro-Tempore Franklin Drilon had described as “snake pit” Medialdea’s position. 

“Luckily, because of the size of Secretary Medialdea, it is not easy to be devoured,” said Drilon, who served as Executive Secretary during the time of President Cory Aquino.

Drilon said Medialdea possessed the qualities of competence and integrity, which his job required.

Senator Ralph Recto, who also backed the confirmation of Medialdea, said he has known the Executive Secretary for 35 years.  

Apart from his discipline to deliver on what is expected from him, Recto said Medialdea also has down-to-earth humility and disarming humor.

“The ES should be able to do heavy but unheralded labor; to endlessly chase papers but never publicity; to run a tight ship, including whipping the egos of alter egos into line,” Recto said.

“I had the pleasure of meeting BingBong Medialdea about 35 years and 35 pounds ago. My impressions then as now are the same. He’s got what it takes to do the job,” he added.

He laid Medialdea was not only great at law, but also with (sic) music. 

“He has concert-level piano skills. He plays the piano the way he recites the law — without notes. If he did not earn a living as member of the Bar, I am sure he would have earned more by playing in piano bars.”

“In fact, while others named to a Palace post would bring a chorus of assistants to help them, he only brought one piece of equipment with him to aid him in his work — his piano, which I suppose is his de-stressing machine. So this guy does not only help the President run the country, he also provides him musical accompaniment.”

“And this conductor of the Palace symphony of lawyers, analysts and experts would quietly go to work,” added Recto.

Medialdea was also an  undersecretary for political affairs under  the administration of President Joseph Estrada.

Just like Medialdea, no member of the CA’s committee on national defense objected when a motion to recommend Lorenzana’s confirmation was made on the table.

Sen. Gringo Honasan seconded Lorenza’s vonfirmation. 

“I can attest to his integrity, professional competence, and love of God, country and family,” said Honasan, a former Army officer.

Also confirmed by the CA were the appointments of Philippe Jones Lhuillier, ambassador to Spain; Antonio Lagdameo, ambassador to Britain; Alan Timbayan, ambassador to Qatar; and Charles Jose, ambassador to Malaysia.

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