Senator Christopher “Bong” Go called on all appointed and to-be appointed government officials to always put the welfare of the country and the Filipino people on top.
In an ambush interview after personally leading a series of relief operations for struggling residents in Davao City last Friday, Go, who was earlier elected in the newly constituted Commission on Appointments (CA), remarked, “As your senator, I am honored to be part of the Commission on Appointments. I am honored to be a member of the Commission on Appointments which is part of the checks and balances of our government.
The consent of CA is needed for the appointments of the heads of the executive departments, ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, officers of the armed forces from the rank of colonel or naval captain, and other officers whose appointments are vested in the President of the Philippines under the Constitution.
The appointments of the chairperson and commissioners of the constitutional commissions such as the Civil Service Commission, Commission on Elections, and Commission on Audit; as well as the regular members of the Judicial and Bar Council likewise require the consent of the CA.
Go reiterated that the primary duty of government officials, whether elected or appointed, is to serve the Filipino people, especially those who have nothing and no one to rely on except for the government.
Apart from Go, Senators Cynthia Villar and Francis Tolentino have also been earlier confirmed to be part of CA. The rest of the senators who will complete the seats in the commission are yet to be announced. Meanwhile, 10 members of the House of Representatives have also been elected.
Under Article VI, Section 18 of the 1987 Constitution, the CA shall consist of the Senate President as ex officio Chairman, 12 senators and 12 members of the House of Representatives, elected by each House on the basis of proportional representation from the political parties and parties or organizations registered under the partylist system represented therein.