Resolving the plight of 29 Armed Forces of the Philippines generals as well as 86 foreign service officers whose confirmations were stalled due to the recently ended Senate leadership gridlock will be one of the priorities of the new Senate leadership, Senator Ping Lacson said.
Lacson said the leadership under Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian is exploring various measures, including asking Malacanang for an ad interim appointment for the affected officers, and a special session to let the Commission on Appointments confirm these.
“Kawawa sila kasi ang kanilang nomination was made when Congress was in session.”
“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,” the veteran legislator said.
“Alang alang sa magigiting nating opisyal, hihiling kami sa Pangulo kung pwedeng tumawag ng special session para ma-convene ang CA,” the seasoned lawmaker added.
The CA is tasked to confirm the appointments of AFP and foreign service officers.
Following a leadership change in the Senate that installed Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate President last May 11, no senators were elected as CA members. The CA is tasked to confirm the appointments of AFP and foreign service officers.
On June 3, another leadership change took place in the Senate, with Gatchalian elected as Senate President Pro Tempore and acting Senate President.
“Dala namin ito, sa tamang tiyempo ang kanilang ‘pag nominate pero dahil nagkagulo sa Senado hindi ma-convene ang CA,” Lacson noted.
