Senate Clash Over Commission on Appointments Composition
MANILA, Philippines — Emotions flared during the Senate plenary session Monday as senators debated the nomination process for the Commission on Appointments (CA). The heated exchange centered on the allocation of seats within the powerful body, highlighting a deep divide between the majority and minority blocs.
The conflict arose when Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva announced the initial nominees for the Commission on Appointments, sparking immediate opposition from Senate Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III. The proposed list included ten senators from the majority bloc, which Sotto challenged as disproportionate representation.
Dispute on Majority Representation
Villanueva presented the following nominees for the CA:
- Sen. Alan Cayetano
- Sen. Ronald dela Rosa
- Sen. JV Ejercito
- Sen. Jinggoy Estrada
- Sen. Bong Go
- Sen. Rodante Marcoleta
- Sen. Imee Marcos
- Sen. Raffy Tulfo
- Sen. Joel Villanueva
- Sen. Mark Villar
Sotto questioned the rationale behind the majority bloc securing ten seats, noting that this seemed excessive given the total membership. Villanueva explained the distribution was based on an 80-20 proportional representation between the majority and minority, which translates to approximately 9.6 seats for the majority, rounded to ten, and 2.4 for the minority, rounded to two.
“If you look at the composition right now of the Senate, we have 19 members in the majority. Over 24 is .79 [while] 5 members of the minority over 24 is .20, and if you multiply .79 times 12 is 9.6 [while] .20 times 12 is 2.4 members,” Villanueva explained.
Minority Leader Challenges Proportional Formula
Sotto disputed Villanueva’s percentages, invoking the Supreme Court’s ruling that the Senate must adhere to party lines and party representation in determining CA membership. He argued that membership should reflect political party strength rather than mere majority-minority bloc counts.
“If this body elects to follow the Supreme Court decision on the Articles of Impeachment, why can’t they follow the decision of the Supreme Court when it comes to the computation of membership in the CA?” Sotto asked.
He further elaborated on the party-based allocation, citing the Nationalist People’s Coalition’s six members should yield three CA seats, while the Nacionalista Party’s five members should have 2.5 seats, rounded as necessary. Sotto also highlighted the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino’s three majority members should be entitled to 1.5 CA seats.
“[But] right now, I’m already hearing Sen. Go and Sen. dela Rosa as members. What about other members? What about their parties? I think this should not be the case to be followed that the whim of the majority or the whim of the numbers shall prevail. I don’t think so. We should follow the rule then, if that is the case,” he said.
Calls for Fair Representation and Cooperation
Senate Deputy Minority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri intervened, emphasizing tradition and fairness. He urged that the minority bloc should not be deprived of representation in the CA, stressing that even a fractional seat allocation should be respected.
“The .5 of the minority is pitiful. It’s already point 5 and yet, you will still remove it, and then, you will give it to the others. We are alright that we have sharing in the majority. I hope the minority will be given a chance to also sit, whether or not it’s during the first of the second half of the 20th Congress,” Zubiri said.
Sotto expressed disappointment over the majority bloc’s approach, expecting more cooperation and respect for the minority’s role in the process.
“Just a while ago, the Senate president pro tempore talked with us. Now, the Senate majority leader will suddenly stand up and he will be ramming down our throats – 10 members of the majority all of a sudden. We’re expecting more cooperation and more better treatment for the minority because we’re trying our best to treat you as well, because we can make it harder for you if this is what you want,” Sotto warned.
He advocated for a nomination system based on party-list representation, which he said would simplify and clarify the allocation.
Temporary Withdrawal and Final Nomination
After prolonged debate, Sotto withdrew his objection following Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano’s decision to temporarily remove his name from the nomination list. This move was intended to allow more time for discussions on CA representation and Supreme Court interpretations.
The Commission on Appointments members were then elected, excluding Cayetano, as follows:
- Sen. Ronald dela Rosa
- Sen. JV Ejercito
- Sen. Jinggoy Estrada
- Sen. Bong Go
- Sen. Rodante Marcoleta
- Sen. Imee Marcos
- Sen. Raffy Tulfo
- Sen. Joel Villanueva
- Sen. Mark Villar
Constitutional Mandate for the CA
The Constitution mandates the formation of the Commission on Appointments after the Senate and House elect their respective leaders. The CA, composed of 12 senators and 12 House members, with the Senate president as ex-officio presiding officer, is tasked with confirming or rejecting key presidential appointments based on merit and integrity.
The CA must be constituted no later than August 27, according to constitutional requirements. The ongoing debates highlight the complexities in balancing political representation and procedural fairness within this critical body.
For more news and updates on Commission on Appointments, visit Filipinokami.com.
