CA bypasses confirmation of Cacdac as DMW secretary

Hans Leo Cacdac of the Department of Migrant Workers. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Appointments (CA) has bypassed Hans Leo Cacdac’s appointment as Migrant Workers secretary, said Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Thursday.

Escudero’ made this statement a day after the Senate adjourned sine die the second regular session of the 19th Congress.

“Bypassed na siya at kailangan siya i-re-appoint ng Presidente. Tama ka at ang naging dahilan kung maaalala mo, tumutol ang Kamara. Tumutol si Cong. Marcoleta. Inannounce naman yan ng kamara sa Commission on Appointments na voting as one sila,” Escudero told reporters in a Kapihan sa Senado forum on Thursday.

(He has been bypassed and the President needs to reappoint him. You’re right, if you remember, the House objected. [Sagip Rep. Rodante] Marcoleta objected. House members announced to the CA  panel that they are voting as one.)

“Binigyan naming ng daan ang kanyang objection at hindi na naming pinahaba ang kwento para matapos yung confirmation ng [tatlumpu’t]-tatlong heneral at senior officers ng Armed Forces of the Philippines,” he added.

(We allowed his objection and we did not prolong the story to finish the confirmation of the 33 generals and senior officers of the AFP.)

Escudero earlier used the term “deferred” to describe the status of the Migrant Workers chief’s assignment. He said it might still be tackled in plenary, noting the session has not ended yet.

Cacdac’s designation was deliberated upon by the CA panel on labor, employment, social welfare and migrant workers.

Marcoleta made the motion to suspend the appointment of Cacdac, citing lack of material time.

Two oppositors—Ferdinand Delos Reyes and Roberto Tan—also joined the panel’s meeting on Cacdac’s appointment.