Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday made an appeal to his colleagues in the Commission on Appointments (CA) to ensure the quality of work by hearing only two to four appointees per day so that members can have ample time to thoroughly vet the nominees.

“Hindi pa ganon ka high-tech ang vetting system natin so ang CA is the first line of defense. May I appeal to our colleagues, to the good chair and vice chair, that let’s do it slowly but surely,” said in a manifestation during today’s CA plenary session, September 27, 2022.

“If we have to work overtime and Thursdays, or extend after the session, why not hindi ba? May I make this appeal as an assurance to our people that we’re working hard and quality ang trabaho na ibinibigay ng CA,” he added.

Cayetano raised the concern after the CA confirmed three department secretaries and 63 general/flag and senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday. On Wednesday, 15 agency heads are set for confirmation.

“Let’s not take away from our nominees and from the Filipino people the privilege and the honor of getting to know our nominees and appointees better. Baka naman we can do two or more than two,” he said.

Cayetano said he is not complaining about the amount but the quality of work that needs to be done. “The investigation reports are more than a hundred pages, at kapag sinabay natin ‘to sa budget hearings natin, apektado talaga tayo,” he said.

Cayetano, who is CA Minority Floor Leader, ended his manifestation by reminding the body of its statement of policy in their rules: “The Commission being part of our Republic’s checks and balances shall act as a restraint against the abuse of the appointing authority to the end that the power to disapprove should be exercised to protect and to enhance public interest.”

CA Chairperson and Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and two other members concurred with the manifestation of Cayetano before the CA plenary session adjourned.

Source: http://www.senate.gov.ph