The Philippine Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday, August 16, rejected the ad interim appointment of Judy Taguiwalo as the country’s Social Welfare Secretary.
Taguiwalo is President Rodrigo Duterte’s third cabinet official rejected by the appointments body. The other two were Gina Lopez as Environment Secretary and Perfecto Yasay Jr. as Foreign Affairs Secretary.
While the exact tally of votes was not disclosed, Davao Oriental Representative Joel Almario said the needed 13 majority vote against her appointment was reached.
“The committee had conducted a votation and has reached the requirement of a majority vote against the confirmation. I stand before this august chamber as your chairman of the committee on labor, employment and social welfare to move for the [CA] to reject the ad interim appointment [of Taguiwalo],” Almario said.
Almario assured that the committee “looked into all angles of her background and character” and exercised “due diligence” in checking whether or not the appointee “suits the position.”
Prior to the Wednesday’s decision, Taguiwalo was bypassed by the CA twice. The law states that the president can no longer reappoint a cabinet official bypassed three times by the CA.
Speaking to reporters, Taguiwalo described the CA’s rejection as a “badge of honor.”
“I am in good company. I think to be rejected like Gina Lopez is a badge of honor for us. Kasi never kami nasabi na corrupt kami. Tumindig kami sa prinsipyo (It can never be said that we were corrupt. We stood by our principles),” she said.
Lopez’ appointment was rejected last May amid issues concerning her policies against several mining operations.
Though “not privy to deliberations,” Taguiwalo said she can only suspect the reasons behind her rejection, citing her opposition to the pork barrel system and the tax reform package, and her alleged links to the New People’s Army (NPA).
“I have served the people well. I gave my all and I’m proud to say that my integrity remains intact and I have never once lost sight of the people I have sworn to serve with full fidelity and courage,” she said.
Malacañang, for its part, lamented the CA’s decision.
“We are saddened by the Commission on Appointments’ rejection of Secretary Judy Taguiwalo,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement.
Abella said Taguiwalo “had served the Duterte administration with passion, profession and integrity.”
“She made an impact in the lives of many Filipinos in her tenure as DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) Secretary,” he added. “The President is now looking and studying for a possible replacement.” (Dana SIoson/AJPress)
