Senate appointments body acts on delayed military, DFA promotions
by Ian Laqui · philstarMANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Appointments has approved the delayed promotions of several military officers and the appointments of Department of Foreign Affairs officials after weeks of Senate gridlock kept the body from convening.
The commission convened on Wednesday, June 17, with members of the Senate and the House of Representatives present.
Among the senators in the CA contingent were Rodante Marcoleta, Bong Go, Loren Legarda and Imee Marcos. They were not present earlier during the Senate session that elected Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate president.
Military promotions
The CA confirmed the promotions of the following retiring officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines:
- Vice Admiral Allan Javier
- Major General Isagani Criste
- Brigadier General Niceforo Diaz
- Brigadier General Rosemawattee Remo
- Lieutenant General Edmundo Peralta
The delayed confirmation of the five military officers had raised concerns because promotions must be confirmed before their mandatory retirement. If officers reach retirement without confirmation, they would no longer be qualified for promotion.
DFA appointments
The commission also approved the appointments of 85 Department of Foreign Affairs officers, including chiefs of mission, career diplomats and foreign service officers.
The appointments and promotions of military and DFA personnel had been delayed by the Senate leadership dispute, which prevented the Commission on Appointments from convening.
The body could not previously convene due to a lack of quorum after the Cayetano bloc did not attend Senate plenary sessions. The Senate adjourned sine die on June 3.
The confirmations were taken up during the first special session of Congress, which President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called through a proclamation issued on June 15 to act on pending measures and appointments.