PHILIPPINE NEWS SERVICE — BYPASSED thrice by the powerful Commission on Appointments, subsequently re-appointed 19 times, and one kidney transplant Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez finally got the nod of the CA four years after he was named to steer the DOJ.
However, Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes was not lucky as he was bypassed for the third time.
Meanwhile, Commission on Elections Chairman Jose Melo was asked to return next week for lack of time to deliberate on his confirmation.
Gonzalez’ confirmation went through a breeze as no one among the members of the CA’s Commission on Justice and Judicial Bar Council rejected his nomination despite the sworn oppositions from at least nine individuals.
Asked for comment about the “historic” confirmation, Gonzalez said: “What can I say but thank the chairman for scheduling and thank the members of the Commission and of course thank the Lord.”
Even his stiff oppositors Senators Panfilo Lacson and Jinggoy Estrada did not raise any objections to his nomination. Asked what he might have done to get their approval, Gonzalez said, in jest, “I dont know. The Holy Spirit might have illumined them.”
Lacson, who chaired the CA hearing on Gonzalez’ confirmation, earlier told reporters that he and DOJ chief “may not be the best of friends but between us meron kaming traits na shared.”
“Akala ko matigas na ulo ko pero mas matigas ulo ni Sec. Gonzalez. What I like about him is that he loves his job and he loves to work. Barely recuperating from transplant operation dali-dali gusto bumalik sa trabaho,” Lacson said.
“So, I was struck by his tenacity and determination to go back to work. If only for that, I want to (confirm him). But I leave it to the members of the committee to decide his fate based on the testimonies of the oppositors to be heard later,” he added.
Estrada agreed with Lacson. “Nakikita mo naman ang isang tao bagama’t nagkaroon ng sakit nanumbalik agad sa trabaho which is very admirable of him.”
“Kahit he keeps on lambasting or criticizing the members of the opposition, including myself and my father. Trabaho niyang protektahan ang kanyang amo kahit mali ang ginagawa. That is really very admirable of him,” he added.