CA rejects ad interim appointment of Army reserve

Commission on Appointments logo. INQUIRER.net/ Jerome Cristobal

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Appointments (CA) rejected on Wednesday the ad interim appointment of Philippine Army reserve Col. Suharto Mangudadatu due to non-compliance with the congressional body’s proceedings.

It was the CA panel on national defense Majority Leader Hon. Luis Raymund “Lray” F. Villafuerte, Jr., who moved for the rejection of the ad interim appointment Mangudadatu. 

The motion was immediately approved by panel head Rep. Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo. 

Mangudadatu’s promotion was rejected due to non-compliance and non-appearance at the chamber’s proceedings despite being invited numerous times.

 “The appointee failed to submit his documentary requirements much less the appointee neither explained his failure to do so nor has he requested for an extension to the submission of the documentary requirements,” said Romualdo. 

“The subject appointee has been bypassed four times according to Section 24 of our rules. Failure to substantially comply with the submission shall be a ground for the rejection of the nomination or appointment,” he added. 

Under CA’s rules, an appointment that has been bypassed three times “shall be reported out” by the standing committee concerned by the commission for appropriate action. 

Following Mangudadatu’s failure to connect and adhere to the panel’s requirements, Romualdo said they have already “conveyed” the official’s “lack of interest” in the promotion.