Smooth sailing seen for Lt. Gen. Bautista

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Lt Gen. Emmanuel Bautista INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Commission on Appointments (CA) is expected to confirm the appointment of Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista as Armed Forces chief of staff this month before hearing those of three Cabinet secretaries who have been in office since 2010.

Senate President Franklin Drilon, the chair of the bicameral body that screens presidential appointees, said the commission is also expected to confirm the appointment of several ambassadors, whose appointments are already pending before the body.

“We will start working on the nominees. Unfortunately, we have two holidays in the coming week so on the last Wednesday of August, we hope to be able to confirm the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, a few other officers of the AFP and the ambassadors whose nominations are already before the commission,” Drilon told reporters.

“We would target these confirmations before the month of August is over so in September we start working on Cabinet members whose nominations are still pending,” he added.

The secretaries, who have been in President Aquino’s Cabinet since he assumed office in June 30, 2010, and who are still waiting for their CA nod, are Justice Secretary Leila De Lima, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Soliman and Environment Secretary Ramon Paje.