The new Senate leadership will move to resolve the delayed confirmations of 29 Armed Forces of the Philippines generals and 86 foreign service officers whose appointments were stalled by the recent Senate leadership impasse.
Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said the leadership under Senate President Pro Tempore and Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian is looking at possible remedies, including asking Malacañang to issue ad interim appointments and calling a special session so the Commission on Appointments (CA) can act on the nominations.
“Naaawa kami una sa nakabinbin na confirmation na AFP officers. Kawawa sila kasi ang kanilang nomination was made when Congress was in session. Kanina lang kami nag-adjourn sine die,” Lacson said late Wednesday.
“Alang-alang sa magigiting nating opisyal, hihiling kami sa Pangulo kung puwedeng tumawag ng special session para ma-convene ang CA,” he added.
The pending confirmations were affected after the Senate leadership change on May 11, when Alan Peter Cayetano was installed as Senate President. Following the change, no senators were elected as CA members, preventing the commission from convening and acting on the appointments of the AFP and foreign service officers.
Another leadership shift took place on Wednesday, with Gatchalian elected Senate President Pro Tempore and acting Senate President.
Lacson said the new leadership recognizes the need to act on the nominations, noting that they were submitted on time but were left unresolved because of the Senate leadership dispute.
“Dala namin ito, sa tamang tiyempo ang kanilang pag-nominate, pero dahil nagkagulo sa Senado hindi ma-convene ang CA,” Lacson said.