By Jelly F. Musico
MANILA, March 4 (PNA) – Senate President Franklin Drilon on Wednesday said the constitutional bodies such as the Commission on Audit (CoA) and Commission on Election (Comelec) can still function even without leaders.
”The agencies continue to function even without leaders because these are collegial bodies,” Drilon told newsmen.
Last month, Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes retired amid the commission’s preparation for the 2016 presidential election.
CoA chairperson Maria Garcia Pulido Tan has reached her retirement age last month.
”The officer in charge is not allowed in the constitutional bodies. In the Comelec, they designated an acting commissioner among themselves,” Drilon said.
Drilon said it is important that appointments be made but he expects President Benigno Aquino III to name the replacements of Brillantes and Tan during the adjournment of the Congress.
”The appointments are subject to Commission on Appointments and so if the President made an appointment today, it will not be an appointment per se, but only a nomination,” Drilon explained.
”The nominee can’t fill up the vacant seat until the consent of the CA is issued. So what has been done in the past is that upon adjournment of Congress, an ad-interim appointment is issued and the appointee can immediately seat, rather than via nomination,” he further explained.
The Congress will adjourn on March 20 for a Lenten break and will resume on May 3. (PNA)