Senators support Taguiwalo’s confirmation

Some senators on Wednesday expressed support for the confirmation of Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo who faced the Commission on Appointments (CA) anew after being reappointed by Pres. Rodrigo Duterte.
(Photo: DSWD Sec. Judy M. Taguiwalo / Facebook)

MANILA—Some senators on Wednesday expressed support for the confirmation of Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo who faced the Commission on Appointments (CA) anew after being reappointed by Pres. Rodrigo Duterte.

To recall, Taguiwalo failed to get the approval of the CA before Senate went on recess last month.

Among the senators who expressed their support were Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, Senators Panfilo Lacson, Loren Legarda and Francis Pangilinan.

However, Taguiwalo’s confirmation was suspended to make room for the CA to hold an executive session to decide on the confirmation of Environment Secretary Gina Lopez.

Like Taguiwalo, Lopez has also been bypassed by the CA but reappointed by Duterte.

Drilon, who questioned her on updates on the conditional cash transfer (CCT), said he admired Taguiwalo for her courage to stand up to the decision to bury former Pres. Ferdinand Marcos in the Libangan ng mga Bayani.

Taguiwalo reiterated her commitment to provide service to poor communities including the 4.4 million beneficiaries under the CCT program.

Lacson, meanwhile, questioned her about her communist affiliations.

The Secretary, however, revealed that she is no longer a member of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CCP) and that she serves at the pleasure of Pres. Duterte.

To recall, the CCP nominated Taguiwalo to join the cabinet.