SENATE President Francis Escudero on Tuesday presided over the first organizational meeting and plenary session of the Commission on Appointments (CA) for the 20th Congress.

The new CA members from the Senate and the House of Representatives elected the chairmen of various sub-committees as they prepare to scrutinize the appointments or promotion of government officials.

The panel is mandated by the 1987 Constitution to confirm or reject key appointments by the President including heads of departments, ambassadors, and consuls, and officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines from the rank of colonel or naval captain up.

“The Senate has a constitutional duty to constitute the CA within 30 days from the time the House and the Senate are organized,” Escudero said.

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As CA chairman, he administered the oath of the 24 newly elected members of the commission and its officers.

Among the members from the Senate contingent are Sens. Ronald Dela Rosa, Joseph Victor Ejercito, Jinggoy Estrada, Bong Go, Rodante Marcoleta, Imee Marcos, Raffy Tulfo, Joel Villanueva, and Mark Villar.

Members from the minority bloc are Sens. Juan Miguel Zubiri, Risa Hontiveros and Loren Legarda. Villanueva was elected as CA deputy majority leader while Hontiveros was named minority leader.

Appointments panel holds first session

“We will work hard to ensure that the CA conscientiously fulfills its mandate in confirming or rejecting key appointments by the President,” Hontiveros said in a statement.