Senators confident Bernadette Romulo-Puyat will get CA nod
At least three senators belonging to the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA) are confident that incoming Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat would get the approval of the body.
Romulo-Puyat’s appointment as the new Tourism secretary was confirmed to INQUIRER.net by Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go on Wednesday.
READ: Bernadette Romulo-Puyat named new Tourism chief
The Department of Tourism warmly welcomes our newly appointed Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat! #ItsmorefuninthePhilippines pic.twitter.com/qWg1PRo3Ty
— Visit Philippines (@TourismPHL) May 9, 2018
“We believe in her competence and integrity as the new Tourism Secretary. Magandang ma-confirm siya agad sa Commission on Appointments para matutukan na niya ang mga hamon sa DOT, tulad ng Boracay closure at rehabilitation,” Senator Bam Aquino said in a statement on Wednesday.
“A healthy tourism industry can also make a major contribution to job creation and livelihood of Filipinos, which is increasingly important now that prices of goods are on the rise and 9 of 10 Filipinos are feeling the weight of TRAIN (Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion),” added Aquino. The senator has been pushing for the suspension of the TRAIN Law once the inflation rate breaches “target range.”
Asked if he would vote for Romulo-Puyat’s confirmation, he said they usually decide on it only “when all paperwork is in.”
Romulo-Puyat, daughter of former Senator Alberto Romulo, has been Agriculture undersecretary of the Duterte administration since July 2017. She also served as an undersecretary for special concerns of the Agriculture department during the Aquino administration.
READ: Who is Bernadette Romulo-Puyat?
Unlike Aquino, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri was more definite in throwing his support for the confirmation of the new appointee.
“Yes, I believe she will not have any problems with the Commission of Appointments,” Zubiri said in a separate statement.
“She has a clean public service record, she brings with her a younger perspective that could help cater to millennials and being the daughter of an illustrious Senator such as Senator Bert Romulo who himself has an outstanding record in the Senate would weigh heavenly on her favor,” he added.
Meanwhile, Senator Grace Poe, also in a statement, expressed confidence Romulo-Puyat would get the CA nod.
“I am confident that she will be confirmed as I’ve said, she has proven her competence and dedication. She is definitely qualified,” Poe said.
Aquino, Zubiri and Poe are all members of the CA.
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, meanwhile, lauded Romulo-Puyat ’s appointment, citing the latter’s “clean record” and “good academic credentials.”
“I have known Secretary Berna and her family for a long time. She has done well in all her government postings. She has a clean record. She has good academic credentials and is very qualified to be the Secretary of Tourism,” Recto said in a statement.
“I look forward to working with her in developing our tourism industry. Good tourism policies will increase jobs and income for our people and will further sustain our growing economy,” he further said. /vvp
