During the Commission on Appointment (CA) nominating of its members, Senator Risa Hontiveros questioned the qualification of her co-senator Alan Peter Cayetano amid electing the latter as the CA Minority Leader. 

According to Hontiveros, she was concerned that Cayetano, spearheading the senate independent bloc, is being elected as its CA’s minority leader. 

“It is important for bodies such as these to have clarity as to the positions of each member. This is important for lines of accountability and important to ensure that we have a genuine minority voice.” Hontiveros added.

On the contrary, Cayetano reiterated that there has been a change of term in the CA floor and the opposition senator’s interpretation regarding the rules is not accurate. 

Cayetano, a long-time senator, was always consistent with his advocacy and indicated that they are in the middle of processing of looking at the qualifications of each member. 

“I think both Senator Risa and I just found it an important thing to clarify and thank you for the time. Maybe when we are in the process of looking at the qualifications of the nominees of the President, you will also give the minority this leeway of having a little bit more time.” Cayetano said. 

The senators who were elected as CA members were Nancy Binay, JV Ejercito, Francis Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, Christopher Go, Loren Legarda, Imee Marcos, Grace Poe, Francis Tolentino, and Cynthia Villar from the Majority bloc, and Hontiveros, representing the Minority.

On the side of the House of Representatives are Ramon Guico Jr. as vice chair; Luis Raymond Villafuerte, Jr. as majority leader; Rodante Marcoleta as assistant majority leader; and Jose Padiernos and Johnny Pimentel as assistant minority leaders.

The CA is an independent body that has the power to approve and deny the Cabinet nominees.