Senate minority names reps to CA, SET
By Michael Lim Ubac
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:49:00 12/27/2008
Filed Under: Government
MANILA, Philippines—Moving to complete the changes brought about by the ouster of Senate President Manuel Villar Jr. on Nov. 17, the minority bloc in the upper chamber has finally named its representatives to the Commission on Appointments (CA) and the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET).
The Senate minority led by Aquilino Pimentel Jr. of PDP-Laban said yesterday the bloc would be represented in the powerful 25-member CA by Villar and Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, both of the Nacionalista Party, independent Joker Arroyo, and former Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan of the Liberal Party.
The LP has yet to name another member to the other CA seat it is entitled to, this one for a party member allied with the majority.
Over at the nine-man SET, the minority bloc will be represented by Pangilinan and Sen. Pia Cayetano.
As for its leadership and membership in various Senate committees, Pimentel said the minority was still finalizing assignments.
The minority will get the leadership of the following committees: Agrarian reform, tourism, social justice and human rights, mass media and public information, and cultural communities.
The minority senators, however, are not keen on signing up for the committee on ethics and privileges, which investigates erring solons.
“We agreed in caucus not to designate members to the committee on ethics and privileges,” said Pimentel.
The panel is looking into the conflict of interest charge filed against Villar in connection with alleged double funding in the C-5 road extension project in Parañaque City, which purportedly benefited Villar’s real estate empire.
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