CA defers Marciano's PhilSA confirmation over data concerns

The Commission on Appointments (CA) deferred Joel Joseph Marciano's confirmation as director general of the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) for a second time due to concerns about his inability to provide accurate data and answer questions.

Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr., the CA Majority Floor Leader, criticized PhilSA for its failure to share crucial satellite data with local government units (LGUs), highlighting Marciano's shortcomings in identifying provinces prone to La Niña flooding.

Villafuerte questioned Marciano's qualifications and leadership, noting his inability to provide necessary weather forecasting data despite hiring an Israeli company for the task in Camarines Sur.

Marciano committed to improving engagement with LGUs and distributing satellite projections more effectively but acknowledged that PhilSA needs a budget increase of P4 billion for 2026 to address its mandates.

Senator Cynthia Villar recommended that PhilSA submit a detailed report outlining its plans for agriculture and disaster management, emphasizing the need for proactive data sharing with key agencies.

Marciano defended his expertise by highlighting his work on Diwata satellites but was urged to accelerate learning in space technology and improve coordination directly with LGUs.