Press Release
April 8, 2015

"HABITUAL" AD INTERIM APPOINTMENTS, PUZZLING - SENATOR JV

PASAY CITY - On Monday, Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito expresses difficulty in understanding what he considers "habitual" ad interim appointments of the Aquino Administration. "[This] habitual ad interim appointments made by the Aquino Administration is very much puzzling." says Senator JV Ejercito.

Furthermore, he raises questions: "Why would PNoy opt for ad interim appointments rather than go through the regular appointment process? Is it because an ad interim appointee can immediately exercise the functions of his office and therefore it becomes a way to facilitate personal political objectives?"

It can be noticed that President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III repeatedly issues ad interim appointments during Congress breaks. Secretaries Dinky Soliman and Leila De Lima have had the most number of ad interim appointments repeatedly nominated to the Commission on Appointments. The most controversial ad interim appointee was COMELEC Commissioner Grace Padaca.

Last 24th of March, President Aquino once again signed an ad interim appointment for Atty. Michael G. Aguinaldo as the new Commission on Audit Chairperson, replacing Grace Pulido-Tan.

The public should know that the issue of ad interim appointment is a matter of public concern.

The procedural difference between ad interim appointments and regular appointments lies in the timing of the appointment. An ad interim appointment, one that is made when Congress is in recess, allows the appointee to perform the functions and powers of the position until rejected by the CA or until the next adjournment of Congress.

On the other hand, in regular appointments, or those made when Congress is in session, an appointee may only immediately assume office until after it has undergone confirmation by the Commission on Appointments.

Interim appointees' assumption of office presents a situation where checks and balance are in a way being circumvented. This gives the President a power which presents danger especially where the institution involved requires political independence.

Currently, the post for PNP Chief is vacant and since Congress is not in session, PNoy is expected to once again make an ad interim appointment. CA recently confirmed the appointment of COMELEC Commissioner Arthur Lim while Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla, Health Secretary Janette Garin, Civil Service Commissioner Nieves Osorio and Maj. Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan's appointment were bypassed.

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