A SEMI-ANNUAL PUBLICATION OF THE COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTShttp://www.comappt.gov.ph

VOL. XVI NO. 1 JUNE 2014

CA Newsletter

Despite all the noise and chaos happening in the Philippine Legislature, where a number of senators and congressmen have been implicated in the controversial “pork barrel scam,” the 25-Member bicameral Commission on

Appointments (CA) has been undaunted in its unwavering commitment to discharge its constitutional mandate of assuring that the President has wisely appointed those who are fit and qualified to run the government. The confirmation mill, headed by President of the Senate / Chairman of the Commission Franklin M. Drilon, continued to grind and wield its powers wrapping up the First Regular Session of the 16th Congress, before it adjourned sine die last June 14, by giving its consent to the nominations and ad interim appointments of three Cabinet officials, two commissioners each from the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and Commission on Audit (COA), 155 Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) general/flag and senior officers from the Department of National Defense (DND) and 95 Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) senior officials for the period covering December 2013 to June 2014. The Commission, in several instances, went out of its way by holding an unprecedented three or four different committee hearings in a single day, to deliberate on various appointments that made the confirmations possible.

Three key cabinet secretaries finally took a breathe of fresh air and vigor in performing their mandate as their long-time wishes of getting past through the intense scrutiny of the Commission on Appointments (CA) were officially granted last June 10, 2014. In its plenary session before the First Regular Session of the 16th Congress adjourns sine die, the Commission confirmed the ad interim appointments of Hon. Corazon Juliano-Soliman as secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Hon. Ramon Jesus P. Paje as secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Hon. Leila M. De Lima as secretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ). They hurdled the confirmation process despite their appointments having been bypassed by the Commission several times - De Lima and Soliman for 17 times and Paje for 13 times.

The “road to confirmation” was a rough-sailing journey for the three cabinet officials as each of them faced strong oppositions to their appointments during deliberations at the committee level. Their appointments were recommended to the plenary for

De Lima, Paje, Soliman, 203 othersbreeze through CA wringer

by Jo R. Samarista

“GREEN LIGHT” ON. Key Cabinet Secretaries De Lima, Soliman, Paje and COA Commissioners Mendoza and Fabia pose for posterity with President of the Senate / Chairman of the Commission Franklin M. Drilon (middle) and other CA Members.

(continued on p.2)

favorable action by their respective committees. However, while the appointments of De Lima and Soliman were unanimously endorsed to the plenary with no objections raised, Sen. Sergio R. Osmeña III, for his part, manifested his negative vote to the confirmation of Paje as environment secretary.

Soliman distinguished herself as a seasoned public servant having been involved in various social works, development projects/programs and organization/community services, and a serious advocate of good governance, people-centered reform and service-oriented public welfare. Her significant past positions prior her social welfare portfolio include being the chairperson of the Philippine Agrarian Reform Foundation for National Development, executive director of the Community Organizers Training Research and Advocacy Institute (CO-TRAIN), executive vice-president of the Community Organizers Multiversity and chairperson of the Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO), among others. She also served in 2001 as social welfare secretary under President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo but her stint was cut short in 2005 when she resigned from her post, together with other cabinet members, who were dubbed as the “Hyatt 10.” Rep. Conrado M. Estrella III, chairman of the labor, employment and social welfare committee, recommended the confirmation of Soliman’s ad interim appointment to the plenary after intense scrutiny of the committee members on her fitness and qualifications to the social welfare post in three committee hearings. Estrella, in his sponsorship speech, cited that the appointee “has always shown her resolute faith in God and in her fellow countrymen, and that the core of her effectiveness as DSWD secretary lies in her belief in the people’s power to transform their situation and her tireless work in empowering them to be engines of social change,”

De Lima’s ascent to the helm of DOJ has been a long and colorful journey. To say that her steps towards the powerful position of a justice secretary were a matter of life and death would be an understatement. What made her a perfect match for the job was the fact that she is widely regarded as an estimable veteran on human rights cases. She has served as chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) from 2008 to 2010 - a milestone in her career which helped mold her into the perfect candidate for the justice portfolio. Prior her stint at the CHR, she carved a name for herself as a legal luminary on election controversies for her

First Regular Session, 16th CongressDecember 2013 - June 2014

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“We will take our jobs seriously... the confirmation process is not a halo exercise” - Fariñas

by Jo R. Samarista

(continued on p.3)

De Lima... from p.2

CA CARES, SHARES. CA Secretary Tiu, together with former CA Dep. Sec. Gonzaga, CASEA Chair Delima, Ms. Pagayucan and Dep. Sec. Chua turns over a check donation to Bohol Rep. Relampagos.

We will... from p.2illustrious role as an election lawyer, while she was the managing lawyer of De Lima Law Firm. In his sponsorship speech before the Commission body in the plenary, justice committee chair Sen. Aquilino “Koko” L. Pimentel III expressed that the committee members are convinced that De Lima fully deserves the position of Secretary of Justice, since she “has discharged her duties with sublime intentions and steadfast devotion to the cause of human rights and justice for all.” In one of the committee hearings, Majority Floor Leader Rep. Rodolfo C. Fariñas even addressed De Lima as his “type of a Secretary of Justice.”

Paje, on the other hand, is reputed as an “environment man” having been with the DENR for decades now. He is a career officer who started in the department as a casual junior forester in 1982 and held various significant positions such as being a senior forester, project evaluation officer at the Foreign-Assisted and Special Projects Office (FASPO), service chief of the Human Resource Development Service, OIC undersecretary and assistant secretary of Management Services and Management and International Environmental Affairs, among others. He rose through the ranks and served as the department’s undersecretary for policy and technical services, environment and natural resources operations, environment and forestry and mines. He was also tapped as a presidential assistant on mining

De Lima... from p.1and executive director of the Minerals Development Council (MDC) at the Office of the President before he served as senior undersecretary and chief of staff at the DENR. Paje held the top DENR post in an acting capacity in June 2010 until his ad interim appointment as environment chief in June 2011. He hurdled deliberations on his ad interim appointment from the members of the environment and natural resources committee, headed by Sen. Loren Legarda, and endured eight committee hearings where he came face-to-face with individuals and groups (14 sworn oppositions) opposing his appointment since 2011, to effect the recommendation of his confirmation to the plenary. Committee Vice Chair Rep. George P. Arnaiz recommended Paje’s confirmation to the plenary, emphasizing his qualifications and competence befitting the position of an environment secretary.

The Commission, likewise, gave its consent to the ad interim appointments of Hon. Luie Tito F. Guia and Hon. Al A. Parreño as commissioners of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), and those of Hon. Heidi L. Mendoza and Hon. Jose A. Fabia as commissioners of the Commission on Audit (COA). The Commission’s Committee on Constitutional Commissions and Offices, headed by Sen. Teofisto “TG” Guingona III, unanimously recommended them for confirmation in plenary. The Commission confirmed the ad

interim appointments of Guia and Parreño as commissioners of the COMELEC, replacing Armando C. Velasco and Rene V. Sarmiento, respectively, both for a term expiring on 02 February 2020. In his sponsorship speech before the CA body in plenary, Guingona expressed that the committee is convinced that both commissioners are fit for the job. He cited both of their remarkable track records and regarded them as “worthy contributions and immensely valuable additions to the COMELEC.” In a separate plenary session, Mendoza finally gained the confidence of the Commission body over her fitness and capacity to perform her duties as audit commissioner for a term expiring on 02 February 2018. Guingona described her as a “familiar brave figure in congressional hearings and exposes on controversies involving the misuse of government funds, who does not back down in ferreting out the truth surrounding anomalies, even confronting powers that be amidst threats to her life and her family.” A former auditor of the COA for 20 years, who gained national attention after her revelations of supposed irregularities in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), she was appointed to the commissioner’s post since March 2011 and got the Commission’s approval after being bypassed 14 times. Fabia, on the other hand, whose term expires on 02 February 2020, vice Rowena V. Guanzon, sailed through committee scrutiny smoothly as it passed

During the last quarter of 2013, the Commission on Appointments (CA) took itself to task once more as it pursued its constitutional mandate conscientiously holding a number of committee hearings deliberating on various nominations and ad interim appointments submitted to it by the President for confirmation. In one of the committee hearings deliberating on the promotions of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) general/flag and senior officers from the Department of National Defense (DND), the ad interim appointment of then Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (Isafp) chief Brigadier General Eduardo M. Año (now a major general per February 19 , 2014 confirmation) was the “most controversial” that caught media attention. During the committee hearing, his appointment was opposed by Mrs. Edita Burgos on the grounds that he is one of the suspects in the abduction and disappearance of her son, farmer activist Jonas Burgos in 2007. Mrs. Burgos voiced her opposition to Año’s promotion describing him as a “human rights” violator. Año denied the allegations leveled against him and records during the deliberation showed that last September 3, 2013 the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a Resolution, clearing him and some of his co-accused. Due to the lack of concrete evidence pointing to Año’s involvement in the disappearance of Mr. Burgos, the defense panel recommended Año’s appointment for plenary action.

However, while the appointment of Año eventually passed the confirmation process albeit the opposition of Mrs. Burgos, Majority Floor Leader of the Commission Rep. Rodolfo C. Fariñas took it upon himself and made sure that what the committee members considered in the deliberations and heard of from the oppositor will not be put to naught as if it did not matter at all. It is in this context

that, during the Commission’s plenary session last December 18, 2013, upon confirmation of the appointments of 88 ranking officers in the AFP, the Commission body unanimously adopted the Resolution introduced and filed by Rep. Fariñas urging the Department of Justice, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement agencies of the government to determine, in the most

expeditious manner, the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Mr. Jonas Burgos and to exert all efforts to locate him without further delay. The Resolution also stated that the members of the Commission individually and collectively express their deepest sympathies and commiserate with Mrs. Burgos on the disappearance of her son.

In yet another testament of the Commission’s firm resolve to perform its mandate seriously, Rep. Fariñas, at the start of the defense committee hearing last February 19, 2014, made a manifestation that should serve as a notice to the AFP and the CA Secretariat “to inform all appointees and nominees, that we (the CA Members), will take our jobs seriously...

this (the confirmation process) is not a halo exercise.” His manifestation was prompted upon notice of a wrong entry in one of the appointee’s profile. He, then, reminded the appointees to be more cautious in filling-out and submitting their documentary requirements to the Commission. He, likewise, vowed to make it his “religious exercise” to verify the correctness of the details submitted by the appointees and remind them to extend courtesy to the members of the Commission. At the same instance, Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez, for his part, commended the CA Secretariat for doing a great job in its profile and background investigation

the deliberations impressively in just one sitting.Meanwhile, the Commission also saw the confirmation of 155

AFP general/flag and senior officers from the Department of National Defense (DND) after thorough deliberations on their fitness and qualifications in three separate defense committee hearings chaired by Rep. Antonio A. Del Rosario. Heading the list of AFP senior officers confirmed by the Commission were the appointments of Lieutenant Generals Rustico O. Guerrero, Roy O. Deveraturda, Caesar Ronnie F. Ordoyo, Ricardo Rainier G. Cruz III, Gregorio Pio P. Catapang, Jr., Virgilio O. Domingo, Hernando DCA Iriberri and Jeffrey F . Delgado. Among the other nominations and ad interim appointments approved were those of one vice admiral, 26 major generals, seven rear admirals, 52 brigadier generals, 13

commodores, 40 colonels and 10 captains.

The other c o n f i r m e d nominations and a p p o i n t m e n t s came from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The c o n f i r m a t i o n of 95 DFA senior officials, led by eight

envoys, came on the same day that the Commission’s foreign affairs committee, headed by Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago deliberated on their nominations and ad interim appointments on March 12, 2014. The committee members were convinced of the competence and fitness of all the nominees and appointees as Defensor Santiago highlighted the qualifications of each of them during the committee hearing. Committee Vice Chair Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez recommended their confirmation to the plenary with no objections raised. It was the biggest number of DFA senior officials to get the Commission nod in a plenary session by far.

In the event of 16th Congress’ sine die adjournment of the First Regular Session last June 14, 2014, the appointments of Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho L. Petilla, one commissioner each from the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and Commission on Elections (COMELEC), 50 Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) senior officials and 132 Department of National Defense (DND) general/flag and senior officers were deemed bypassed.

399 confirmed from July 2013 to June 2014 (First Regular Session, 16th Congress), Sotto elected as Assistant Minority Floor Leader

For the entire duration of the First Regular Session in the 16th Congress (July 22, 2013 – June 13, 2014), the Commission had nine plenary sessions and 19 committee hearings and meetings yielding a total number of 399 confirmed government officials.

The following is the summary of nominations/ad interim appointments confirmed in the First Regular Session of the 16th Congress (July 22, 2013 to June 13, 2014):

Commission on Elections (COMELEC) : 2Commission onAudit (COA) : 2Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) : 116Department National Defense (DND) : 276Cabinet Secretaries : 3 Total : 399Out of the 21 cabinet positions in the Executive branch filled

up by the President since 2010, only the ad interim appointment of Petilla as energy secretary that was submitted to the Commission in 2012 has not been confirmed yet.

Meanwhile, also taken up during the December 18, 2013 plenary session was the election of Sen. Vicente C. Sotto III as Assistant Minority Floor Leader of the Commission. As such, he also sits as ex-officio member of all the standing committees in the Commission.

of the appointees and nominees submitted before the body.In a related development, Rep. Fariñas, shared his thoughts on

the circumstances resulting in the delays of confirming presidential nominees and appointees. During the Commission’s simultaneous hearings of the justice committee and the labor, employment and social welfare committee last June 3, 2014, Rep. Fariñas questioned the four-year delay in the confirmation of the ad interim appointments of Justice Secretary Leila M. De Lima and Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman. The ad interim appointments of both De Lima and Soliman have been bypassed by the Commission 17 times. This also means that the President reappointed them for the same number of times to continue performing their respective mandates. Rep. Fariñas said the practice of issuing ad interim appointments, or those presidential appointments done when Congress is not in session, undermines the Commission’s constitutional mandate. “It is about time for the Commission on Appointments to put an end to the cycle of bypassing and reappointing Cabinet Secretaries and other nominees,” he emphasized. It is at this point that Rep. Fariñas urged his fellow members in the Commission, “To my colleagues in Congress, let’s show political will. The delay in confirmation is happening because we allow it. That violates the Constitution.” He further expressed that he will propose to study and revisit the Rules of the Commission to limit to three the number of times an appointee can be bypassed. After the third time, the Commission should vote on the confirmation of the appointee.

(continued on p.3)

POLITICAL WILL. Maj. Flr. Leader Fariñas emphasizes his thoughts on the essence of the CA’s constitutional mandate and the confirmation process.

Moved by the people who suffered from loss of lives and properties in the aftermath of last year’s calamities that wreaked havoc in several parts of the country, the Commission on Appointments (CA) sent a strong message that it is always one of the helping hands ready to reach out and rise to the calling in times of great need of the Filipino people.

The CA, through the initiative of Secretary of the Commission Arturo L. Tiu and in collaboration with the Commission on Appointments Employees Association (CASEA), made its generous and charitable presence felt by sharing its contributions in aiding the hapless victims affected by the disasters. Recognizing the damage caused by the earthquake in Bohol and the wrath of super typhoon Yolanda lashing the city of Tacloban, Leyte, Samar and their neighboring areas in central Visayas, the CA turned-over a P300,000.00 check to Rep. Ben Ebardone of Eastern Samar and a P200,000.00 check to Rep. Rene L. Relampagos of the 1st District of Bohol last December 11 and 12, 2013, respectively, for the benefit of the people ravaged by the devastations. Former CA Deputy Secretary for Legal Affairs Agustinus V. Gonzaga joined Rep. Relampagos in accepting the donations for the province of Bohol from Secretary Tiu, Deputy Secretary for External Affairs and Relations Ronald O. Chua and CASEA Chairperson Daisy O. Delima, assisted by Ms. Ma. Luisa P. Pagayucan. Rep. Ebardone, on the other

CA’s message to victims of calamities: “You’re not alone!”

by Annabelle C. Sta. CruzSTAND TALL. COA Commissioner Mendoza receives a warm round of applause after the confirmation of her ad interim appointment.

(continued on p.8)

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Our Officers and Members in Action

6 C A N E W S L E T T E R J U N E 2014 7C A N E W S L E T T E R J U N E 2014

COME ON. Whistleblower Sandra Cam blows the whistle on Justice Secretary Delima’s appointment during the committee hearing.ORDER OF BUSINESS. CA Deputy Secretary for Administration Joey C. Flaminiano calls the roll during the confirmation of presidential

nominees and appointees in the plenary session.

AT EASE. Congressman Lagdameo and Senator Marcos find time for a chat with AFP ranking officers before the start of the plenary session.

IN UNISON. Senators Trillanes and Cayetano share their thoughts on relevant issues during the labor, employment and social welfare committee hearing.

WELCOME TO THE FOLD. COMELEC Chair Brillantes (1st from left) joins (l-r) COMELEC Commissioner Guia, Senate President/CA Chair Drilon and COMELEC Commissioner Parreño in a photo opportunity.

I SUBMIT. COMELEC Commissioner Parreño responds to queries hurled by the committee members during the deliberation on his ad interim appointment.

KUDOS. Senator Osmeña congratulates the senior officials in the DFA who are up for confirmation in the plenary session.

FINALLY. Brigadier General Alexis D. Tamondong (right) is all smiles as he poses with Maj. Floor Leader Fariñas (left) and CA Chairman Drilon (middle) after the confirmation of his nomination.

BRIGHT AND COLORFUL. Congresswoman Leonen-Pizarro (right) congratulates Social Welfare Secretary Soliman (left) after the endorsement of her appointment for confirmation in plenary.

CONVERGENCE. Environment Secretary Paje consults his panel of support staff members during committee deliberations on his appointment.

HOLD ON, HOLD TIGHT. Secretaries Soliman and Delima hold in tight embrace after hurdling the confirmation process as COA Commissioner Mendoza looks on.

ALL HEART. Appointees up for confirmation take a moment to swear loyalty to the flag by joining in the singing of the Philippine National Anthem at the start of the plenary session.

ONE MAN STANDING. COA Commissioner Fabia faces the panel as his appointment is being recommended for confirmation in the plenary session.

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Anti-Sexual Harrasment Act gains ground in the CA

CA Secretariat holds Planning Conference 2014by Gina R. Villegas

SECURED. Security Consciousness lecturer Maj. Marlon C. Mojica, PA, receives a Certificate of Appreciation from CA Secretary Tiu (left) and Sgt.-at-Arms Gabuna (right).

TOUCH ME NOT. Judge Sarmiento-Flores gestures to explain the principle behind the Anti-Sexual Harrasment Act.

(continued on p.11)

hand, received the donation for Samar from Secretary Tiu, Deputy Secretary Chua, CASEA Chair Delima and Asst. Sgt-at-Arms Manuel V. Pecson II.

CA employees whose families and properties were affected by the typhoon were also the recipients of P10,000.00 cash donations each from the kind hearts of the officers and employees in the office. Likewise, the CA and the CASEA purchased more than 350 pieces of “Tulong na, Tabang, Tayo na!” t-shirts from the ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya Foundation as a generous response to the call of social responsibility in helping the victims of calamities.

Apart from these donations, it is to be recalled that some CA officers and employees also had their moments of sharing care and generosity when they volunteered to cook food and feed the Yolanda victims right after alighting from the C-130 plane that transported them from Tacloban City to Manila. Welcoming and witnessing the victims in anguish was a low moment for the CA group to bear but it did not stop them from sharing a happy and warm gesture to serve the people in need right before them.

More than the donations, the food and the smiles that were offered is the earnest collective prayer from the CA family for the wellness of the victims who are in dire need of feeling that they are not alone in their hardest times and in their arduous plight for survival. The CA made it sure that its message to them is clear.

CA’s message... from p.3

The Commission on Appointments Secretariat conducted a Planning Conference at the CA Conference Room on February 5, 2014 with the following objectives:

• Surface issues and concerns, policies, systems and procedures, which directly, or indirectly, affect work performance and suggest alternative solutions.

•  Review and update on the current planning and budgetary processes.

• Revisit the current program, sub-programs and projects of the CA Secretariat and arrive at a decision to either Stop, Start/Enhance or Continue

• Review current Performance Standards and TargetsThe worthwhile activity was attended by all Senior Staff Officers/

Service Heads, Deputy Secretaries, Sgt.-at-Arms, Asst. Sgt.-at-Arms and headed by Secretary of the Commission Arturo L. Tiu, with the Information and Planning Service (IPS) as host unit

The conference officially opened with a prayer led by Ms. Annabelle C. Sta. Cruz while Ms. Josephine S. Capoquian, the Planning Section Chief, served as the moderator. Secretary Tiu , in his opening remarks, had this to say, “It was five years ago when we had our last planning session. It has never been repeated maybe because we were confident that we are on track… Now, we have to re-asses our position, where we are in terms of our targets’ road plan. We need to revisit previous plans and look forward in setting new goals to be attained or try to follow-up and make-up with whatever is left behind. It’s a matter of positive attitude…Let us move forward and get inspiration from what we’ve done before and look at the future on a positive side and see what we can do.”

by Josephine S. Capoquian

IPS Director Gerardo R. Josue presented the rationale, objectives and the mechanics of the conference and explained other details of the programme. He also discussed the contents of the working folder which were used for the planning workshop

Budget Director Fe J. Sevilla, on the other hand, gave a brief overview of the budget process by sharing some insights on the provisions of the Philippine Constitution, Article IV, Section 29, referring to the General Appropriations Act which defines the use of government funds authorized by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

The workshop proper started by grouping the participants by department – Operations, Administrative, and the Executive Offices group. It was an exercise of surfacing issues and concerns re manpower complement; MOOE; capital outlay; policies, systems and procedures, which also included alternative solutions. The different departments were then asked to present the outcome of their coming together and had their chance of airing out their concerns.

The Deputy Secretaries each had their turn at the microphone which prompted these encouraging remarks from Deputy Secretary for Administration Joey C. Flaminiano, thanking the Planning Secretariat for a successful Planning Conference and the management for paving way for the event, “Di po diyan nagtatapos ang ating trabaho sa planning. ‘Yung mga ni-raise nating issues and concerns, tuloy-tuloy nating hanapan ng solusyon and with the help of our Secretary, maso-solve po natin lahat yan… Maraming salamat po.”

Not to be outshined, the sound Sergeant-at-Arms, Gen. Orville G. Gabuna also had this post script comment, “Maganda itong exercise ng planning na ito at naging professional, kasi na-observe ko ang conflict ay dahil hindi nagkakaintindihan lang. Parehas ang target o binabalak pero ang hagdang tinatahak hindi alam kung patungong langit o hagdan ng hell. Maganda itong planning at ganito dapat kaiksi ang mga reports ‘di na sa manila paper. Thank you!”

CA invades AnvayaSea, sky and nature met 127 valiant

men and women of the Commission on Appointments (CA) Secretariat, on that bright, sunny morning of April 23, 2014. The eager group arrived early at the exclusive Anvaya Cove Beach and Nature Club in Morong Bataan for the conduct of the much awaited 3-day event dubbed as, “Commission on Appointments Secretariat Seminar on Gender Language, Health and Wellness, Security Consciousness Cum Team Enhancement 2014.”

Under the tutelage of the kind-hearted Secretary of the Commission, Arturo L. Tiu, the different Services came together as one and organized the biggest event of the year for the development and revitalization of the employees and organic staff members of the CA. These were the Office of the Secretary (OSEC),

Office of the Deputy Secretary for External Affairs and Relations (ODSEAR), Office of the Deputy Secretary for Administration (ODSA), Information and Planning Service (IPS), Human Resources and Management Service (HRMS), Accounting Service (AS), General Service (GS) and the Commission on Appointments Secretariat Employees Association ( C A S E A ) officers and members.

T h e a c t i v i t y a i m e d t o i n t r o d u c e t h e b a s i c concepts in gender and development, s t r e s s t h e importance of handling important and confidential documents and relay basic information on flu and cervical cancer vaccination through film showing, courtesy of GlaxoSmithKline. On the lighter side, it was also a chance for the CA assembly to strengthen and rejuvenate group effort by promoting teamwork and camaraderie through the conduct of challenging games and leisure sports.

Secretary Tiu, in his welcome remarks, highlighted the value o f k n o w i n g o n e ’ s responsibility especially in maintaining the security of documents within the office and reminded everyone on the value of group bonding and teamwork to be e f fect ive and p r o d u c t i v e i n t h e w o r k p l a c e . H e , nonetheless, encouraged the employees to have fun and enjoy the rare opportunity provided by the office to get inside the exclusive resort.

The opening salvo at the Anvaya Cove was devoted to learning, as the series of seminars and lecture commenced, with Ms. Florinda V. Flores of the HRMS guiding the flow of the program. The seminar on gender and development, facilitated by Judge Elisa Sarmiento-Flores and assisted by her husband, Atty. Ricky Flores, was top in the itinerary. Throughout her lecture, Judge Flores integrated mini- workshops on gender classification, definition and issues which encouraged active involvement among the participants.

This was followed by a brief film showing provided by GlaxoSmithKline, shedding information about the flu and cervical cancer diseases. The seminar on Security Consciousness, sponsored by ISAFP, which revolved around the topics office security, responsibility and accountability in handling classified documents and communication, came next, with Maj. Marlon C. Mojica, PA as resource person.

At the closure of each activity, the resource persons were feted a Certificate of Appreciation and tokens, with Deputy Secre tary f o r Lega l Affairs Alvin S. Cruz, Deputy Secretary for Administration Joey C. Flaminiano and Sergeant-at-Arms Gen. Orville G. Gabuna, helping the Secretary in giving out the presents.

The second day’s set of activities brought together the CA group at the Beach Area to fire up the team

enhancement event hailed as “The Anvaya Challenge,” facilitated by the Anvaya staff members.

The CA Secretariat recalls its team groupings from the Anvaya activity of 2009, consisting of four groups in vibrant colors of Green, White, Orange and Yellow to compete against each other in the games custom-fitted for the CA group and prepared by the Anvaya

team building coordinators.The Greens started with a loud bang after

dominating the Cheering Competition which won them 1st place while the Oranges burst in power next after claiming the top spot in the Magic Carpet Game. The Whites left everyone bewildered after solving the Puzzle Tube

Challenge ahead of the rest and the Yellows emerged as mind champions after finishing first in Anvaya Sudoku - a mind boggling game putting the CA people’s wits to test. Team standings at the end of the race produced a balanced result with each team placing equally at the overall tally to bag the following prizes: P5,000 for the 1st place, P3,500 for the 2nd place, P2,500 for the 3rd place and P1,500 consolation for the 4th place in event.

Free university was a plenty of time for the enlivened CA group as they tried different activities like kayaking, swimming, volleyball, tennis, etc. were enjoyed by the employees.

Evening socials around the bonfire held at the Pawikan Grill capped off the second day’s events over acoustic music provided by the Panorama Band.

On the last day, the group enjoyed yet another free university by engaging in fun activities like the Zipline rides, biking, trekking or by simply touring the vicinity for taking souvenir photo shots. The CA employees finally bid Anvaya Cove adieu after enjoying their final feast at the Sambali Lounge before proceeding to their caravan heading for home.

To say that the Anvaya Activity 2014 was a stunning success is an understatement. It was an experience of a lifetime and the CA Secretariat employees give credit to one man with a big heart – thank you Secretary Tiu. Till next time!

COLOR MIX AND MATCH. CA Secretariat officers and staff members in vibrant display pose for posterity with CA Secretary Tiu (center) before the start of the “Anvaya Challenge.”

WHITE HOT. White Team beats the heat to showcase its firm fighting stance in the fun games.

GREEN-MINDED. Green Team members display their witty form in the Puzzle Tube Challenge.

Republic Act No. 7877, in its Declaration of Policy clause provides that “The State shall value the dignity of every individual, enhance the development of its human resources, guarantee full respect for human rights, and uphold the dignity of workers, employees, applicants for employment, students or those undergoing training, instruction or education. Towards this end, all forms of sexual harassment in the employment, education or training environment are hereby declared unlawful.” The Commission on Appointments (CA), fully committed to faithfully support the government’s thrust on this facet, conducted a lecture on Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 last March 5, 2014. This lecture is, of course, a continuation of the series of activities scheduled for implementation as part of the CA’s Gender and Development projects and programs.

Hon. Elisa R. Sarmiento-Flores, presiding judge of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 71 of Pasig City handled the lecture. Being a professorial lecturer of the Philippine Judicial Academy and known to be proficient in Philippine laws about women and children, as well as, an advocate of their plight, she proved to be the best

by Flor V. Flores

WORKING MODE. Dep. Sec. Flaminiano (2nd from right) leads the Administartion Group composed of (l-r) Dirs. Sevilla (BS), Hilbero (GS), Cruz (AS) and De la Cruz (HRMS) during the workshop.

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SENATE MINI-OLYMPICS 2014

“Age doesn’t matter” – a cliché that embodies and emboldens the ripened Commission on Appointments (CA) community as it ventured into the Senate territory by accepting once more an invitation to join this year’s Senate Mini-Olympics. This season, aimed at promoting camaraderie and wholesome competition, will be another exciting and rewarding experience to all the Senate and Commission on Appointments athletes.

This year’s sportsfest, not farfetched from that of the last, opened with a bang, complete with a roaring parade of colors, muse competition, cheer dance contest and fun games dubbed “Palarong Pinoy” last June 17, 2014 at the GSIS gymnasium. The six competing teams were composed of the Administration Team (Yellow), Legis Team (Blue), OSAA Team (Red), OSEC Team (Purple), Senate Proper Team (White/Green) and the special participation of our own Commission on Appointments Team (Black).

The Mini-Olympics is a month-long program that includes competition in the different sports events such as basketball, volleyball, billiards, bowling, chess, badminton, darts, table tennis, swimming and lawn tennis, with golf as a demonstration sports included this time around.

Mr. Sam Venezuela, CA’s over-all sports coordinator, said that he is proud of the CA athletes’ enthusiasm and excitement, despite the odds in most of them who are “past their prime” to go for GOLD. A week after the mini-olympics opened, the CA has so far, maintained its strong chance to place a decent finish over-all, bagging the gold and silver medal in billiards and bowling respectively. The CA athletes and employees are all keeping their hopes high for the other events that are yet to be concluded to keep the flame burning for the CA Team.

In the recent flag-raising ceremony, Sec. Arturo Tiu, who has manifested his unending support to his CA family, also reminded the team about sportsmanship and advised them to always remember that “it is not so much about winning or losing, but how one plays the game that matters most.” With these words engraved in the athletes’ hearts and minds, they can attain victory! Go CA!

by Annabelle C. Sta. CruzPersonnel Cornerby Flor V. Flores

Editorial... from p.12

WATCH YOUR MOUTH. HRMS’ Ms. Angie Paloma (center) joins the participants of GSL orientation in a wacky pose.

decisively the challenges of tomorrow.”At this point, the CA once again stands in a muck of muddy puddle.

At best, let time withstand the trials and prove once more that the CA is the embodiment of resilience. Let CA endure in silent grace and continue to live on carrying out its work. Resilience is dealing with life’s difficulties with courage and patience, refusing to give up. It is the quality of character that allows a person to rebound from misfortune, hardships and traumas. Such is the character of CA. It has the tenacity of spirit and a clear sense of identity and purpose. Now, more than ever, the CA is more resilient, because it still holds on to a vision of a better future.

Much of its strength comes from community - from the relationships that allow them to lean on each other for support when needed. Like Napoleon Hill who bespoke, “The strongest oak of the forest is not the one that is protected from the storm and hidden from the sun. It’s the one that stands in the open where it is compelled to struggle for its existence against the winds and rains and the scorching sun.”

The Senators and Congressmen, as members of the CA, and the Secretariat, as their support system, remain undeterred and continue to carry on their respective duties of ensuring that the republican system of checks and balances on Presidential appointments stays integral.

For like the Emperor in Mulan who said, “No matter how the wind howls, the mountain cannot bow to it,” so shall the CA remain intact, amidst the brewing turmoil, emerging better and brighter, more than ever.

person to discuss this law. Her competence is not only known here in the country but she is also a recognized persona in international women’s issues having been invited to several international fora on these issues.

What made the lecture even more interesting and relevant was that it was discussed in relation to the Civil Service Commission (CSC) Resolution No. 01-0940, known as the Administrative Disciplinary Rules on Sexual Harassment to which all the participants could truly relate. The lively open forum that ensued showed the high level of interest and reception of the CA employees since this CSC Resolution provides the Administrative Disciplinary Rules on Sexual Harassment Cases that would address issues and cases of sexual harassment committed in the workplace.

The discussion of the law provided the employees with an understanding of what may constitute a violation, the levels of gravity of the offense and the imposable penalties for such. Likewise, they were informed that not only those who have directly or actually committed the offense are liable but even, according to RA 7877, “Any person who directs or induces another to commit any act of sexual harassment as herein defined, or who cooperates in the commission thereof by another without which it would not have been committed, shall also be held liable under this Act.”

Having been informed of the law and its implications, the employees are expected to be more aware of their actions in their everyday dealings with one another. They would, now, know how to address sexual harassment issues and the remedies available for them under such circumstances that would result in harmonious relationship grounded on mutual respect.

During the lecture, specifically when the CSC Resolution was touched, a special reference was made to the Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI) that every agency is mandated to establish under the CSC Resolution. On a final note, it is noteworthy to go back to the essence of the Declaration of Policy clause of RA 7877 which extols the dignity of every individual and guarantees full respect to human rights that jives with the quote from Laurence Stern, an English priest and novelist, that says, “Respect for ourselves guides our morals; respect for other guides our manners.”

Anti-Sexual... from p.8

The Human Resource Management Service (HRMS) continues to take its part in the Commission on Appointments’ (CA) pursuit of its mission to serve God and country above all, as well as, its vision of … primacy of service to the public … with the highest ethical and moral standard… To this end, the HRMS strives to make its employees more responsive to this objective. Hence, it always endeavors to provide opportunities to the CA Secretariat employees to obtain more learning and insights in all areas so that all efforts can be aligned towards achievement of that goal.

During the first semester, several activities have been undertaken to update the employees on significant issues, at the same time, to reinforce CA’s commitment to Gender and Development (GAD) related objectives. One was a Lecture on the features of the Anti Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 along with the Civil Service Commission (CSC) Resolution No. 01-0940, known as the Administrative Disciplinary Rules on Sexual Harassment. This was conducted by Hon. Elisa R. Sarmiento-Flores, presiding judge of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 71 of Pasig City. Then, the employees experienced, once again, the grandeur of Anvaya Cove Resort Club in Morong, Bataan where the CA Secretariat held its Gender Language, Health and Wellness, Security Consciousness cum Team Enhancement Seminar. This was further continued at the home base by a short orientation on the use of Gender Sensitive Language ably handled by Ms. Angelica A. Paloma, HRMS’s Welfare & Development Section Chief and a lecture on cervical cancer as a continuation of the video presentation conducted by the resource persons from GlaxoSmithKline Company.

Mesdames Elsie G. Montecillo (Budget Service) and Josephine S. Capoquian (IPS) attended a Workshop on the Guidelines in Tagging Government Expenditures for Climate Change in the Budget Process conducted by the Department of Budget & Management (DBM) on February 27, 2014. Likewise, the GSIS sent an invite to a briefing and training on the new GSIS eBilling and Collection Systems (eBCS) to which several personnel were sent

on March 12, 2014. They were Mesdames Susan I. Tabil, Annaliza D. Guazon and Geraldine Babar of the Accounting Service and Ms. Ma. Kristine Aireen B. Lopez of the HRMS.

To further the CA’s participation in the pursuit of the objectives of MITHI, Ms. Graciela R. Agbuya of the Budget Service and Mr. Zeigfredo Jose R. Samarista of the Information & Planning Service attended the MITHI Fora on the ICT Plan & Budget for 2015 on January 23, 2014. Then, again, on February 18, 2014, Mr. Samarista attended a one-day session per agency workshop on the ICT Plan & Budget for 2015, this time with Ms. Juvy D. Balaoeg of the DBLS.

In line with the CA’s thrust to make the CA employees IT savvy, HRMS has obtained management’s nod to send employees to refresh their knowledge on Basic Microsoft Excel 2010 at the Informatics Institute on March 26, 2014. They were: Belinda A. Fajanilan, Delia B. Porte, Annaliza D. Guazon, Evangeline S. Ymbang, Geraldine C. Babar, Larry T. Espiritu, and Jonas Montecillo of the Accounting Service. They were joined by the HRMS group which included Ma. Kristina Aireen B. Lopez, Maridel S. Janiola, Francia B. Torres and Shelly Ann. R. Manuel while the General Service sent Renante R. Tabil, Rowena M. Mirhan, Rolando Venezuela and Abdul Jabbar M. Babar.

The Technical Support Service (TSS) has joined this cause by proposing that its staff members be allowed to study Desktop Publishing Course. TSS Director Ramon Nghuatco’s nominees namely Elizabeth T. Macapagal, Melvin D. Pagdonsolan, Marissa M. Domingo and Joey C. Palaganas were allowed to enrol, likewise, with the Informatics Institute, taking up first the course’s prerequisites Advanced Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint before the main course. The program covers June 25 & 26, July 2, 3, 9 & 11, 2014.

The HRMS looks forward to more meaningful and relevant trainings and activities in the future to develop the CA human resource for it agrees with Benjamin Franklin when he says, “Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.”

12 C A N E W S L E T T E R J U N E 2014

CA NEWSLETTERA CA Secretariat Publication

Sec. Arturo L.Tiu Atty. Alfredo Alvin S.Cruz Editorial Consultant Legal Counsel

Gerry R. JosueEditor-in-Chief

Zeigfredo Jose R. Samarista

Managing Editor

Alec Bernabe Bugayong (TSS), Josephine S. Capoquian (IPS), Florinda V. Flores (HRMS), Jonas L. Montecillo (AS), HEA Dennis C. Perang (OSEC), Adrian A. Policarpio (GS), Jorge I. Rico (GS), Annabelle C. Sta Cruz (IPS), Maria Czarina Ann S. Vallarta (OSEC), Gina Eufracia R. Villegas (IPS), Writers; JoSam, Lay-out Artist; Andres V. Santos, Photographer; Ma. Rosalina G. Gonzales, Manuel R. Tantengco, Staff

The CA Newsletter is published semi-annually by the Commission on Appointments with secretariat at the Information and Planning Service (IPS) office , 6/F PNB Financial Center., Roxas Blvd., Pasay City. Contributions should be typewritten and double-spaced, and may be submitted personally at the IPS office, faxed through 551-1989, or e-mailed through mis@comappt.gov.ph. All contributions are subject to editing and upon publication become part of the CA property. Opinionated articles, such as columns or special reports/features, represent the personal views of the writer, and not the official position of the CA Secretariat.

Life, whether we like it or not, has its highs and lows, connections and separations,

finding and losing, mourning and dancing, sadness and joy and so on and so forth. These inevitable realities nonetheless teach us that there are two sides for every life’s situation.

We would never appreciate light without darkness. Without death, we would not know life. If we haven’t been sad we would not have known happiness. These infinite polarities define our life. More so, they define who we are. But despite the differences, these polarities complement each other. They are the two sides of every coin. The yin and yang of life as Chinese philosophy puts it.

Whether by choice or chance, misfortune is fact of life. This vile reality often makes us sink to the depths of hopelessness. But instead of looking misfortune plainly as such, we should consider it as an opportunity to redefine our options. More so, an opportunity for growth and self-improvement thereby making our life better in the process.

In any workplace, there will be people who think less of us. There are even those who doubt us. Let us not be offended nonetheless. Rather, we take it as a challenge and an opportunity to make ourselves better. For every unpleasant situation that comes is an opportunity to welcome the goodness in life.

Despite the odds and challenges that come along public service, let excellence be the measure. Much more, let us view every working day as an opportunity to do our job and serve our country well.

Carpe diem!

Editorial

CA stands firm and proud

(continued on p.11)

The Secretary’s CornerArturo L. Tiu

Points of view...The current frenzy over the “pork barrel” issue triggered by the Napoles

scheme hits an unassuming target. The Commission on Appointments (CA) unwittingly finds itself trapped in the eye of a storm. Getting dragged into the “Napoles” scandal is just one among the many other questions hurled against its reputation and entity.

No less than the Senate President and CA Chairman, Franklin M. Drilon, deems it “illogical and baseless.” Truly a remote possibility, since the CA, although composed of members from

both Houses, does not have PDAF allocations or pork barrel funds. It is legislative in composition but executive in function, thus, performing a unique constitutional function which is a class by itself.

Dating from way back its rebirth, under the 1987 Constitution, the CA’s existence has always been put to the test with numerous calls for its abolition. But the CA has stood firm.

To best describe its position in the bureaucracy, the CA in its first publication circa 1992 “The Mandate to Confirm” states that: Chapter II, The Power of Appointments: Essence and Nuances p.29-30, Limits to Appointment Power – “The power of appointment is vested in the President by the Constitution (Article VII, Section 16)… Under the Philippine jurisprudence, the limitation is provided by the Commission on Appointments. The appointing power is the exclusive prerogative of the President upon which no limitation may be imposed by Congress except those resulting from the need of securing concurrence of the Commission on Appointments and from the exercise of the limited legislative power to prescribe the qualification to a given appointive office.”; The Present Commission on Appointments: Nature and Structure. p.31, “…Because it is composed of Senators and Members of the House of Representatives and considering further that it can meet only while the Congress is in session, the Commission on Appointments is often wrongly perceived as an adjunct of Congress. But it is not. The Commission on Appointments owes its existence to the Constitution, not to Congress. As a constitutional body, the Commission on Appointments is distinct from and independent of Congress”; Chapter IV, Alternatives for the Future p.171-173, Looking Back – “The framers of the Constitution envisioned the role of the Commission on Appointments in the appointment process as essentially adversarial to the Executive. Through the years of its existence, however, the Commission has judiciously evolved measures to overcome this perception and implement its declared policy that the powers vested in it shall be discharged with only one impelling motive, which is the efficient and harmonious functioning of the government. Among the measures initiated are the conducts of regular dialogues with the executive branch on matters which are potentially controversial and the development of ways and means to speed up confirmation of numerous nominations and appointments.

…The appointment process has not really been spared of criticisms. And, almost without exception, its critics have believed that the best way to enhance the quality of presidential appointees is to rearrange the procedures or to realign the roles of the participants in the appointment process. Some have suggested an expansion in the number of positions requiring Commission confirmation. Still others have suggested a centralization of the appointing authority within the executive branch. In spite of its shortcomings, the requirement of confirmation of the President’s appointments to the major offices of the government is a basic part of the Constitution and plays an important role in our system of government. The crucial need is for the President to be constantly aware of his public accountability as an appointing authority and for the Commission to be vigilant in its role of providing legislative check on possible executive excesses.”

The book also recommends the following reforms in its Two Point Agenda: Looking Ahead - “The Commission on Appointments… may look into these recommended areas of concern to enhance the confirmation process: (1) That the consultative mechanisms be institutionalized and strengthened to minimize or resolve dissensions between the Commission and the President, particularly on nominations or appointments to vital offices in the government; and (2)That the constitutional amendments be introduced to further improve and clearly delineate the appointing power of the President and the confirmatory jurisdiction of the Commission. The proposed amendatory measures may be sponsored by the Commission members themselves.

The consideration of these agenda would undoubtedly determine the contours of the Commission’s struggle to discharge effectively its constitutional mandate in the years ahead. It will also enable the Commission to respond adequately to the changing needs of the time and to confront