PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will be giving another ad-interim appointment to the four remaining Cabinet secretaries who were once more bypassed by the powerful Commission on Appointments despite strong opposition to their confirmation, the Palace said Thursday.
Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano, Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo, Environment Secretary Regina Lopez and Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial once again failed to secure a confirmation from the CA with Congress taking a break starting March 17.
With the CA’s three-strike rule, this will be the last time that Duterte can give an ad-interim appointment to the four officials, as the CA needs to render final verdict before the President’s next State of the Nation Address.
“The President’s trust and confidence in the Cabinet secretaries bypassed remain undiminished,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said.
“We expect that they will be reappointed to continue serving their posts,” he added.
Of the four officials, Lopez faces the fiercest opposition after her closure orders against 23 mining companies and abrogation of 75 mineral production sharing agreements.
The decision to bypass Lopez was made during an executive caucus of the CA committee on environment and natural resources chaired by Senator Manny Pacquiao, after a briefing given by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, who co-chairs the Mining Industry Coordinating Council with Lopez.
“The voting is set on May 3,” said the chairman of the House contingent of the CA, Rep. Ronaldo Zamora.
Ubial is facing stiff opposition before the CA over her plans to distribute condoms to public high schools, while Mariano’s confirmation stems from his opposition to the proposed 2-year moratorium on land conversion and other issues on land use.
Taguiwalo, meanwhile, is having problems over her refusal to play ball with lawmakers on their supposed entitlement and control over certain DSWD funds.
Lawmakers are insisting they have a say in the implementation of certain programs and projects vis-a-vis their districts and constituents.
Duterte said the fate of his four alter-egos would now depend on the CA following its three-strike rule.
“If its just a matter of bypassing, they can be reappointed. But if their appointment is taken, its being discussed and put to the table, and you are rejected, then that’s the end of it. They have a rule, on the third bypass, they need to deliberate for the appointment. Once rejected, (that’s the end),” he said.
The President added he’s not exerting his influence over the CA amid his last-minute efforts to rally for their confirmation, particularly for Lopez.
“As I said, I’m not calling anybody for any reason at all,” he said.
On Wednesday, Education Secretary Leonor Briones won her confirmation before the CA over issues on condom distribution in schools, fast-tracking of budget spending, and Palarong Pambansa.