THE Commission on Appointments (CA) has received the appointment papers of recently installed Cabinet members of the Marcos administration, a congressman said on Sunday, noting the body can’t formally deliberate their nominations as Congress is still on break.
The constitutional committee already has on file Interior Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” C. Remulla, Jr. and Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Aldeguer-Roque papers, Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny T. Pimentel, an assistant minority leader of the body, said.
“We won’t be able to tackle [their] appointment for now because Congress is adjourned. We are not in session,” he said in a statement.
He said the newly appointed Cabinet officials could still perform their duties while awaiting confirmation from the CA, citing President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s ability to make interim appointments, empowering nominated officials to immediately perform their responsibilities.
Mr. Remulla, younger brother of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla, last week replaced former Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” C. Abalos, Jr., who is eyeing a Senate seat in the 2025 midterm elections.
Ms. Roque sat as acting secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Aug. 2, taking the reins after ex-Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual’s resignation from the post on Aug. 1. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio