The bicameral Commission on Appointments (CA) is set to deliberate on Gilberto Teodoro Jr.’s designation as the Department of National Defense (DND) chief on Sept. 13.
“The CA’s committee on national defense chaired by Camiguin Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo will hold its confirmation hearing on Secretary Teodoro’s ad interim appointment on the second Wednesday of September,” CA assistant minority leader and Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel said.
The Constitution empowers the 25-member CA to pore over the competence, fitness and integrity of key presidential appointees, including Cabinet members, and to approve or disapprove them.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Teodoro as head of the DND on June 6.
Teodoro, 59, graduated at the top of his class at the University of the Philippines College of Law and topped the 1989 Bar exams.
A week ago, CA confirmed the appointments of 30 senior military officers, led by Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., the new chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
“The CA’s committee on foreign affairs chaired by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada will also hold confirmation hearings on Sept. 13 on the nominations of Charlie Manangan as ambassador to Iraq, and Kira Azucena, as resident ambassador to Niue, in addition to being ambassador to New Zealand,” Pimentel said.