Sotto hints Honasan may be ‘nominated’ for another post

MANILA, Philippines — Will Senator Gringo Honasan be nominated for another post?

In November last year, Malacañang released the appointment paper of Honasan as new Secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

READ: Palace releases appointment paper of Honasan as new DICT chief

However, Congress adjourned its session last December 14 without deliberating and confirming Honasan’s nomination at the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA).

This mean that the appointment was bypassed by the CA, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III explained during a press conference at the Senate on Thursday.

“The President still has to nominate him again because he (Honasan) was bypassed. He was bypassed Dec 12,” Sotto said.

“So that means he has to be nominated again. E malay mo he might be nominated to another post,” he said.

Asked if it was possible, the Senate leader said, “Of course, anything is possible.”

Pressed if Honasan was being considered for another post, Sotto deflected the question by telling reporters to just ask Senator Panfilo Lacson.

“I really don’t know. Ask Senator Lacson,” Sotto said.

INQUIRER.net has yet to get a reply from Honasan himself about the issue.

Sotto insisted Honasan was qualified to take the DICT post, saying the law does not necessarily require a seven-year background on telecommunication for one to be qualified for the post.

“They could have seven o 10 years background on intelligence communications and different types of communication techniques. He will more than suffice as far as his qualifications are concerned,” he said.

Sotto suggested that any questions on Honasan’s qualifications must be brought before the CA. /je