12 Cabinet members bypassed by CA but 10 re-appointed
AGRARIAN REFORM Secretary Conrado Estrella III dialogues with farmers. Estrella's appointment was confirmed by the Commission on Appointments
PASAY CITY – Twelve Cabinet secretaries and two commissioners have been bypassed by the Commission on Appointments as Congress adjourned.
The 12 Cabinet members would have to be re-appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. so they could continue to function.
Earlier, the CA confirmed Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, Environment Secretary Maria Antonio Yulo-Loyzaga and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, chairman of the CA, a constitutional body composed of members of the Senate and the House of Representatives, said among those whose ad interim appointments were bypassed were Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles, Energy Secretary Raphael Perpetuo Lotilla and Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno.
Also bypassed were Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar, Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan John Enrile Uy, Migrant Workers Secretary Maria Susana Ople, Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan, Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr., Social Welfare and Development Secretary Erwin Tulfo, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual,Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista and National Economic and Development Authority Director General Arsenio Balisacan.
Also bypassed for lack of time were Commission on Audit Chairman Jose Calida and Nelson Java Celis as commissioner of the Commission on Elections.
“All the Secretaries, not just Sec. Tulfo and Sec. Bonoan who have not been confirmed, will have to seek a reappointment by the President as they would all be considered bypassed,” Zubiri said.
On October 4, Marcos re-appointed 10 of the twelve Cabinet members who immediately took their oath and joined the Cabinet meeting that day.
Those who were not re-appointment were Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles, who resigned due to health reasons; and Communication and Information Technology Secretary Ivan John Uy.
Chairman Jose Calida of COA also resigned upon learning that he was not re-appointed to the post. (Jennifer True Santos)
