Friday, August 03, 2007 Cleansing of CA image starts, Nograles says By Ben O. Tesiorna
REFORMS in the controversial Commission on Appointments (CA) are underway as members from both the House of Representatives and the Senate agreed to make their votes in black and white and no more shades of grey whatsoever.
Davao City Representative Prospero Nograles, who is also chair of the House committee on appointments, said there will only be "yes" or a "no" votes to be cast in the CA under the 14th Congress and no "maybes" in the confirmation or rejection of government appointees.
Concurring to the statement of Senate President Manuel Villar that presidential appointees must get the nod of the CA, Nograles said that as head of the House contingent to the CA, he will strongly move for swift actions on all government appointments and promotions that require CA confirmation.
He said unlike in the past where there are a lot of government confirmations, that had been bypassed or without concrete action from the CA, he will work hard to ensure that no appointment that requires CA confirmation will remain unresolved.
"There will be only be yes or no and no maybes in acting on government appointments. If possible, we will avoid the practice of bypassing appointments which will just allow the president to reappoint him or her all over again. It will be either he is in or out," Nograles said.
Nograles said Cabinet secretaries and other appointees that require CA okay should undergo the process of confirmation and avoid asking the President to reappoint them in the interim if they are bypassed.
"New CA must confirm or reject the appointees at the shortest time possible and not keep them hanging on," he said.
The CA during the 13th Congress was accused by their fellow congressman of mulcting favors and money from appointees in exchange of their confirmation. Prospero Pichay, then CA head, and Speaker Jose de Venecia however denied this accusation.
No investigation was conducted by Congress on the allegation.
Nograles vowed though that he will institute reforms in the CA in light of the recent controversy.
