Farinas wants three-strike rule on appointments

MANILA - Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Farinas on Thursday said both the Executive and Congress are responsible for the delays in the confirmation of Cabinet officials. Farinas, majority leader of the Commission on Appointments, cited the failure of the Executive to submit nominees to the CA for confirmation and the lack of political will among members of Congress. He claimed while Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman have been appointed several times, neither of them have been confirmed. "If we had wished it, we could have demanded executive why not to submit all these appointments now. In the same manner we are tackling this in the last 2 sessions. Why rush us also," he said. "Parang lack of political will on our part. If they do not submit, Congress can do many things like not approve their budget or disapprove all other nominations like promotions of generals or ambassadors. We could block all of those if they do not submit," he added. Farinas said he will submit proposals to amend the Commission's rules specifically to limit to three the number of times a nominee can be bypassed. He expects DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman's appointment to be decided on by Wednesday. They may also recommend Justice Secretary Leila de Lima's appointment to the plenary for voting on Wednesday. Farinas said he is personally in favor of De Lima's confirmation.