Submitted by Vox Bikol on
Naga City (May 30 2011) - For all his national popularity and the stamp of “good performance” from President Aquino, it may not be easy sailing for Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo the moment he faces the Commission on Appointments (CA) for confirmation .
Last week, President Aquino said he would appoint DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo and another Bikolano, Environment Secretary Ramon Paje, as permanent members of his cabinet and he would soon be forwarding their nomination papers to the CA.
But at least two fellow Bikolano politicians are out to prevent the former Naga City mayor from becoming the permanent DILG Secretary.
Former Naga City councillor Luis Ortega has filed with the CA a written opposition to Robredo’s confirmation arguing that Robredo has many pending graft cases and that the former Naga City mayor is not qualified to hold any position in the Aquino administration.
“He faces plenty of graft cases in the Ombudsman and he should have not been given any position in the government,” Ortega said.
Ortega is known to have filed unexplained wealth and graft charges against Robredo during the latter’s term as Naga City mayor.
Earlier, Camarines Sur 3rd district congressman Luis Villafuerte said the DILG Secretary should explain to the CA some of the cases he faces at the Ombudsman. Robredo can also be asked about the mysterious disappearance of former councilor Emilio Aguinaldo who had also filed plenty of cases against the former mayor, Villafuerte added.
Congressman Villafuerte is a member of the powerful Commission on Appointments and he said Robredo will be grilled at the CA before he gets the nod of its members.