Robredo died without getting CA confirmation

MANILA, Philippines – For 14 long months, the powerful Commission on Appointments refused to confirm the appointment of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo to the Cabinet.

But the bicameral body was set to confirm him next week, August 29, according to Sen Franklin Drilon. “Sana sa Miyerkoles mako-confirm siya sa CA. Ako ang nag-areglo noon na ma-confirm siya,” Drilon told reporters after the 11 am mass for Robredo at National Shrine of the Divine Child inside La Salle Greenhills on Tuesday, August 21.

Both Drilon and Robredo belong to the ruling Liberal Party.

Drilon claimed Robredo knew he was going to be confirmed. “At least he left with the thought that he would have been confirmed because he deserved to be Secretary of DILG.”

Robredo was formally named Interior and Local Government Secretary on June 13, 2011. Prior to this, he was only Acting Secretary apparently because the President at that point was undecided on whether to retain him or move him to another department.

Aside from Robredo, 4 other Cabinet officials have not been confirmed by the CA. They are Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman, and Environment Secretary Ramon Paje.

It takes only one opposition from the CA for an appointment to be blocked.

‘Posthumous’ confirmation?

CA vice-chairman Paraňaque Representative Roilo Golez said they were scheduled to confirm Robredo last week, August 15, but they had to postpone it because they wanted to attend the necrological service for their colleague, Sorsogon Representative Salvador Escudero III.

CA member Alagad party list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta on Tuesday also called on the CA to give Robredo a “posthumous” confirmation.

“As he is set to be confirmed on August 29 and subject to CA rules, I would endorse his confirmation even if posthumously,” Marcoleta said.

CA Members

The CA has the task to confirm high-ranking appointments of the Presidents. The CA members are:

Among the senators, the members of the CA are: Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile (chairman), Senator Alan Cayetano, Senator Franklin Drilon, , Senator Joker Arroyo, Senator Edgardo Angara, Senator Joker Arroyo, Senator Francis Escudero, Senator Panfilo Lacson, Senator Ralph Recto, Senator Serge Osmena, Senator Loren Legarda, Senator Miriam Santiago, and Senator Tito Sotto.

Among the representatives, the member of the CA are: Paranaque Rep Roilo Golez (Vice-Chairman), Zamboanga del Norte Rep Rosendo Labadlabad, Nueva Ecija Rep Rodolfo Antonino, Maguindanao Rep Simeon Datumanong Valenzuela Rep Rex Gatchalian, Cavite Rep Erineo Maliksi, Palawan Rep. Antonio Alvarez, Cebu Rep Eduardo Gullar, Capiz Rep Antonio Del Rosario, Alagad party list Rep Rodante Marcoleta, Camiguin Rep Pedro Romualdo, and Camarines Rep Luis Villafuerte.

In June, rumors circulated that Sen Panfilo “Ping” Lacson would replace Robredo at the DILG. But this was promptly denied by Malacañang.

Asked about it then, Robredo said his position was dependent on President Aquino’s confidence in him.  – Rappler.com