PASSING with flying colors, the Commission on Appointments (CA) confirmed Wednesday the ad interim appointment of Education Secretary Leonor Briones and 45 officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Briones who faced some questioning in the plenary deliberations finally got the approval of the powerful CA.
She was a former national treasurer during the term of then President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada.
Senate President and CA ex officio chairman Aquilino Pimentel III was the one who pushed for the approval on the motion for the confirmation of Briones and 456 AFP officers since there was no objection from the members.
Briones was the one who was pushing for the additional allocation equivalent to 6 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to meet international standards.
Senator Paulo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV who is the chairman of the CA committee on education supported Briones' confirmation, while Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto sponsored and seconded.
Aquino lauded Briones and even mentioned her accomplishment. He said the former national treasurer is qualified as the Secretary of Education, calling her a champion in promoting Education.
"She's an exceptional public servant with a lifelong commitment to exceptional public service," Aquino said.
Meanwhile, AFP officers who were able to pass the approval of the CA include:
1. B/Gen. Arnold F. Fernandez
2. Lt. Gen. Donato B. San Juan
3. Major Gen. Ronald C. Villanueva
4. B/Gen. Bonifacio B. Cebrian, Jr.,
5. Major Gen. Noel S. Clement
6. B/Gen. William A. Alunday
7. B/Gen. Noel S. Buan
8. B/Gen. Marion G. Lacurom
9. B/Gen. Manuel Trece P. Robles
10. Army Colonel Yegor Rey P. Barroquillo, Jr.
11. Navy Colonel George J. Tagle (Reserve)
12. Major Gen. Raul M. Farnacio
13. Army Colonel Romeo N. Bautista III
14. Army Colonel Leonardo C. Dacumos
15. Air Force Colonel Francisco R. Godoy, Jr.
16. Air Force Colonel Jose Johnson T. Grayda Jr.
17. Air Force Colonel Joel A. Inacay
18. Army Colonel Noly P. Mapili
19. Army Colonel Dennis Francis V. Pastor
20. Army Colonel Leonardo I. Pena
21. Air Force Colonel Joel T. Rebullar (Reserve)
22. Colonel Edna S. Renejane (Medical Corps)
23. Air Force Colonel Celso G. Resurreccion
24. Army Colonel Eliglen F. Villaflor
25. B/Gen. Carlomagno L. Tabo
26. B/Gen. Erwin A. De Asis
27. Air Force Colonel Joseph P. Archog
28. Army Colonel Herbert M. Bautista (Reserve)
29. Navy Captain Richard M. David
30. Army Colonel Enriqueto R. Deocadez, Jr.
31. Air Force Colonel Federico B. Enriquez
32. Air Force Colonel Teodoro C. Epres (Reserve)
33. Air Force Colonel Edmond B. Gupit
34. Air Force Colonel Ulyses S. Marquez
35. Army Colonel Alexei CV. Musngi
36. Air Force Colonel Vicente A. Naldoza, Jr.
37. Air Force Colonel Lizander G. Oliveros (Reserve)
38. B/Gen. Nathaniel Y. Casem
39. B/Gen. Hilario B. Frigillana, Jr. (Reserve)
40. Air Force Colonel Amado V. Dela Paz
41. Army Colonel Arvin R. Lagamon
42. Army Colonel Edmundo G. Peralta
43. Army Colonel Ariel M. Reyes
44. B/Gen. Macairog S. Alberto
45. Army Colonel Rey B. Alemania
(SunStar Philippines)