CA holds first meeting under 20th Congress, elects leadership

The Commission on Appointments (CA) held its first meeting under the 20th Congress on Tuesday with Senate President Francis Escudero presiding over the oath-taking of newly elected members despite bad weather and a suspended executive work schedule.

Ramon Guico Jr. from Pangasinan was elected as vice chairperson, while Jurdin Jesus Romualdo became majority leader and Risa Hontiveros minority leader; Jose Flaminiano remained Secretary and Nicasio Radovan Jr. Sergeant-at-Arms.

The CA formed its 25 Standing Committees, selecting Jinggoy Estrada (Foreign Affairs), Juan Miguel Zubiri (Finance), Rodante Marcoleta (Justice and Judicial and Bar Council), Raffy Tulfo (Education), Bong Go (Health), JV Ejercito (Environment and Natural Resources), Loren Legarda (Interior and Local Government), Joel Villanueva (Constitutional Commissions and Offices) among others.

As mandated by the Constitution, the commission was constituted within 30 days of Congress opening, a deadline met on Tuesday with all members present.

With 89 pending appointments, including three cabinet secretaries, the CA is set to play a crucial role in approving or disapproving presidential nominations.

The CA's function forms part of the delicate mechanism of checks and balances established by the Constitution to ensure proper government functioning for public welfare.