Con-com eyes ‘mandatory’ Cabinet post for Vice President

Former Associate Justice Antonio Eduardo Nachura. INQUIRER.net / CATHY MIRANDA

The Consultative Committee (Con-com) reviewing the 1987 Constitution has proposed a provision that would require the President to appoint his or her Vice President to a Cabinet position.

In a press briefing on Thursday, retired Supreme Court Associate Justice and Con-com member Antonio Nachura said the President has to choose which Cabinet position he or she would give to the Vice President.

Nachura, who chairs the Con-com’s sub-committee on structure of the government, also said that the appointment of the Vice President to the Cabinet position would not be questioned by the Commission on Appointments.

Under the current Constitution, the President has the discretion whether or not he or she would give the Vice President a full Cabinet rank.

The former magistrate admitted that the seemingly turbulent working relationship between President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Leni Robredo was a factor in making the provision. “The situation today will not happen anymore,” he said.

Robredo was appointed by Duterte to head the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council. She, however, resigned in December 2016 after Duterte ordered her to “desist from attending all Cabinet meetings.” /jpv

READ: Robredo asked to stop attending Cabinet meetings, quits post