Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile
MANILA, Philippines – With or without the confirmation by the powerful Commission on Appointments, Secretary Jesse Robredo will be considered in the history of the Philippines as the official head of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said on Wednesday.
But Enrile was uncertain if a posthumous confirmation could be conferred on Robredo, who died in a plane crash last Saturday. He was bypassed twice by the Commission, being headed by the Senate leader.
“We have to study it. Not that I don’t want him to be confirmed, in fact we had him scheduled for confirmation, but as far as my recollection goes, it has never been done before,” he said in an interview with Senate reporters.
But Enrile said, “Whether he (Robredo) was confirmed or not, it makes no difference.”
“He had a valid appointment as Secretary. He will be a Secretary of the Interior and Local Government in the political history of this country. Confirmation or no confirmation,” he stressed.
It has no bearing also, Enrile said, if some people would remember Robredo as someone who had failed to get the confirmation of the Commission.
“That has no bearing. Every signature he made before his death are all valid except if they’re illegal or unconstitutional,” he said.
And while a posthumous confirmation for Robredo was still uncertain at this point, Enrile welcomed a possible state burial for the late DILG chief.
“He’s a member of the Cabinet. Not everyone can become members of the Cabinet. The member of the Cabinet is entitled to I think a 19-gun salute. That’s my recollection,” the Senate leader added.