Tourism chief gets CA nod

MANILA (Updated) -- Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez had an easy confirmation at the Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday, a year after he was tasked to supervise the government's ambitious goal of meeting 10 million foreign arrivals by 2016.

Jimenez, who replaced businessman Alberto Lim, was asked several questions including his support for the reproductive health bill being pushed by allies of President Benigno Aquino III.

However, the CA committee tourism and economic development found no formal opposition to his appointment, paving the way for his confirmation in the plenary after lunch.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is asking for P2.9 billion next year, which will be used to intensify the government’s campaign to attract 5.5 million tourists from the expected 4.5 million in 2012. A P16.4-billion support fund from other agencies will also be earmarked for the rehabilitation of airports and seaports and historical sites, among others.

Meantime, a lawmaker moved to relax the CA rules on notice of nomination so that it can confirm former Senator Manuel Roxas II as the new Secretary of the Department of Interior of Local Government (DILG).

Nueva Ecija Representative Rodolfo Antonino said Roxas' appointment as DILG chief has been reported in media, thus the need to waive the publication requirement.

CA chairperson and Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile opposed the proposal, saying the integrity of the institution and the process should not be compromised.

Roxas replaced Jesse Robredo, who died in a plane crash off Masbate on August 18.

Roxas and his successor in the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), Cavite Representative Joseph Abaya, will only work on their new assignments once they are confirmed by the CA.

Also confirmed on Wednesday was retired Court of Appeals Justice Aurora Lagman, who will represent the private sector in the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) for another four years.

She is the third appointee of President Benigno Aquino III to the screening body for aspirants to the judiciary, the other two being lawyers Jose Mejia from the academe and Milagros Fernan-Cayosa, representing the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP). (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)