Santiago has right to block my confirmation, says Roxas

Incoming Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Manuel “Mar” Roxas II on Tuesday said that it was Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago’s right as a member of the Commission on Appointments to block his confirmation as chief of the Department of Interior and Local Government.

He told reporters this during an interview with reporters at the sidelines of the deliberations on the 2013 budget at the House of Representatives, adding that he decided to keep off the Senate inquiry on former Interior Undersecretary Rico Puno since he has not worked with him before.

He said that since the invitation was “for an assessment or an evaluation on the performance of Undersecretary Puno (at) wala naman akong mako-contribute, nasa DOTC ako (I have nothing to contribute since I’m still with the DOTC).”

“Hindi ko nakatrabaho si Usec Puno sa kahit anong paraan. Kilala ko siya pero hindi ko naman siya nakasama sa kahit anong program o project (I know Usec. Puno but I have not worked with him on any program or project),” added the incoming DILG chief.

He said that he sent a letter to the CA explaining his absence from the investigation. “Kung yan ang pagpasya nila ay wala naman tayong magagawa, tayo ay nasa serbisyo lang (I cannot do anything about it if that is the CA’s decision).”

Roxas said that it was Santiago’s right to block the appointments as part of the CA. “Dating senador din ako at dating member ng CA, at iyang section 20 na karapatan na yan ay nakapaloob sa bawat miyembro ng CA. Haharapin ko kung ano mang maging pasya ng CA (I was a former senator and member of the CA and Section 20 of the rules of the CA indicates that it is the members’ right to block appointments. I will accept whatever the CA’s decision).”

Roxas said that he will not be able to assume the post of Interior Secretary without the CA’s approval even though he was appointed by President Benigno Aquino III himself. “Humingi ako ng paumanhin sa senadora at sa komite. The hearing was to attest DILG matters at hindi pa naman ako kasali (I apologized to the senator and her committee and explained that I would not appear since the hearing was to attest DILG matters of which I am not yet privy to).”

“Wala tayong kinalaman sa DILG di pa naman nakaupo sa DILG (I have not yet assumed office at the DILG),” maintained Roxas.