CA receives appointment papers of DOTr, PCO chiefs

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has submitted the ad interim appointment papers of newly designated Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon and Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Jay Ruiz to the Commission on Appointments (CA) for confirmation.

The CA, however, could not act on the nominations of Dizon and Ruiz as Congress went on recess on Feb. 7 to give way to the campaign for the midterm elections. Session resumes on June 2.

The 19th Congress will have only two weeks or six session days from June 2 to 13 before adjourning sine die.

CA assistant minority leader and Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel announced that the commission received the papers of two newly appointed Cabinet members of President Marcos.

“We have already received Secretary Dizon’s papers as well as those of newly appointed PCO Secretary Ruiz,” Pimentel said.

Pimentel said that under the 1987 Constitution, Malacañang may issue key ad interim appointments while Congress is not in session.

Pimentel, however, noted that ad interim appointments become invalid if disapproved by the CA or if left unconfirmed by the time Congress adjourns.

Marcos appointed Dizon as DOTr secretary on Feb. 21, and the CA received his appointment papers on Feb. 24. Dizon succeeded Jaime Bautista, who stepped down from his post due to health reasons.

Previously, Dizon served as presidential adviser on flagship programs and projects and as president of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) during the Duterte administration.

Ruiz was appointed head of the PCO on Feb. 24, and the CA received his appointment papers on Feb. 25.

Along with Dizon and Ruiz, Pimentel confirmed that the CA has received the appointment papers of four new constitutional commissioners: Noli Pipo and Maria Norina Tangaro-Casingal of the Commission on Elections, Luis Meinrado Pañgulayan of the Civil Service Commission and Douglas Michael Mallillin of the Commission on Audit.

All four commissioners were appointed on Feb. 10. The CA received their appointment papers on the same day.