4 Cabinet members bypassed by CA

The Commission on Appointments has effectively bypassed the appointments of four Cabinet members, including three who had been in their position when President Aquino assumed office in 2010.

The influential bicameral commission over the first six months of the 16th Congress did not confirm the appointments of Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Environment Secretary Ramon Paje and Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla.

“The President should issue them another ad interim appointment in order to enable them to continue discharging their functions because their appointment terminates when we adjourn today [Wednesday] or on Friday under our calendar,” Senate President Franklin Drilon said.

The four cabinet members were among the high-profile officials of the Aquino administration.

Soliman was at the forefront of relief operations in calamity-stricken areas while De Lima was instrumental in the investigation of the pork barrel scam that resulted in the filing of plunder charges against Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Revilla Jr.—Norman Bordadora