DEPUTY Presidential spokesperson Rogelio Peyuan on Friday maintained that the appointments of outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo were all made in compliance with the law.
This developed as President-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III disclosed his plan to fire Arroyo’s questionable appointees.
Peyuan defended that all appointees of President Arroyo “was executed within the boundaries of existing laws.”
The Palace earlier stressed that Arroyo made quite a number of appointments because of several resignations and retirements during the nine years of her governance.
But Peyuan assured that those who are co-terminus with the President will surely be resigning on June 30 as Arroyo steps down.
“Yung mga co-terminus po ay aabot hanggang sa ika-30 ng Hunyo, ‘yung mga maglilingkod beyond June 30 ay titingnan po natin ang mga batas na ginawang basehan at magiging basehan din ng susunod na administrasyon sa kanilang pagre-repaso,” he said.
He also dismissed the need for courtesy resignation assuring that resignations will be made when Arroyo's term ends.
Aquino is also vocal on his opposition on the appointment of Chief Justice Renato Corona, saying that he is ready to recall the promotion if proven that it violated a constitutional ban on midnight appointments.
Peyuan said that they will not advice the incoming administration on what to do since from June 30, the decision will all for them to make.
“Ito at nasa kanilang kapasiyahan kung ang mga nasa loob ay mananatili o magpapatuloy sa paglilingkod,” he said.
For the part of Arroyo's ally, Albay Representative Edcel Lagman said that the Presidential power to fire is not absolute as it is circumscribed by due process which is enshrined in the Constitution and limited by the provisions of the Civil Service Law.”
Lagman insisted that those appointments made by Arroyo before the onset of the ban under Section 15 of Article VII of the Constitution “are presumed legal and valid”.
But critics were questioning the appointments since some were only declared lately such as the extension of term of Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) chairman Efraim Genuino.
“Those questioned appointments of President were extended prior to the ban’s effectivity. Otherwise, why impose a prohibited period if appointments extended before the effectivity of the ban are considered similarly invalid or tainted,” Lagman said in defense of Arroyo.
“Appointees who serve at the pleasure of the President can be dismissed anytime, but incumbents who enjoy security of tenure can be dismissed only for cause,” he added.
As he made this statement, Lagman clarified that he is not shielding any concerned appointee instead he just wanted to uphold the rule of law.
“I have not secured the appointment of any kin during the tenure of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo nor shortly before the effectivity of the ban on presidential appointments.” (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)