CA confirms appointment of Diokno as Budget and Management Secretary

The Commission on Appointments (CA) of the 17th Congress confirmed the appointment of Benjamin Diokno as the Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management becoming the first member of President Duterte's cabinet to be confirmed.

Sen. Juan Miguel F. Zubiri, as the Chairman of the Committee on Budget and Management, sponsored Sec. Diokno's confirmation. Zubiri recommended Diokno's confirmation, citing the latter's "impressive academic record, extensive service in the academe and government and expertise in fiscal policy."

"I value his bold vision to end underspending on public goods and services, boost public infrastructure spending, and attain fiscal responsibility and transparency," Zubiri said.

Sec. Diokno first served the Department of Budget and Management as Assistant Minister under President Corazon Aquino. He also served as Budget Secretary in President Joseph Estrada's administration, and is now reprising his role as head of the DBM under President Duterte.

In moving for the confirmation, Sen. Zubiri noted that, "This is the third administration that Sec. Diokno will be serving, which shows that this is an appointment based on merit, and one that transcends politics and personal affiliations." The CA panel confirmed Diokno's appointment without objections.