The Commission on Appointments (CA) has confirmed the appointment of presidential daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and dismissed House appropriations committee chairperson Rep. Isidro Ungab, both as reserved colonel of the Philippine Army, and 20 other senior officers in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Facing the Committee on national defense, chairperson Sen. Panfilo Lacson asked Carpio why he thought Ungab was booted out of his post at the House when people agreed he was more than qualified to handle the appropriation committee.
After responding that she has nothing to do with it, Lacson said he has no further question.
Majority Leader Jose Mayo Almario quizzed Carpio why her father, President Rodrigo Duterte was scared of her.
“That he fears me is something that is only in his mind. I have always supported him, his personal decisions, his career decisions,” said Carpio who was commissioned to the AFP Reserved Force with the rank of captain in 2009.
“Initially, I did not support his intention to run for President but I belatedly supported it,” said Carpio during her confirmation hearing.
“I told him the only way I can help you as President is to make sure that Davao City continues to be a progressive and developed city in Mindanao,” said Carpio.
In closing, Carpio dismissed her tough image, saying she was not the soldier type.
“I just feel like a beauty queen, not a soldier,” said Carpio, who was widely speculated as behind the ouster of House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez following a verbal tussle with him and the installation of Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The Davao mayor also got involved in a controversy in 2011 for repeatedly punching court sheriff Abe Andres who insisted on serving a court order to evict informal settlers and demolish shanties in a contested property in Davao City.
Almario also aired his appreciation to Carpio when the COVID-19 crisis happened. “It was Mayor Sara who first issued a statement cancelling all activities for Araw ng Davao for the sake of the people of Davao and visitors.”
While others have yet to react, Almario said Davao City has already that kind of precautionary measure.
Prior to Carpio’s deliberations, Ungab was put in the spot with Lacson asking him,” why were you ousted.”
“I have no idea why i was ousted. I just read it from the papers here as a soldier, I am willing to answer your question.”
Lacson said he raised this question out of curiosity since he believes Ungab is the most competent and qualified to sit as chair of the appropriations committee.
However, Ungab was clueless why he was kicked out of the appropriation committee.
CA also confirmed the ad interim appointments and nominations of three Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
The Committee likewise deliberated on the ad interim appointments of 10 Senior Officers of the DFA promoted to the rank of Foreign Service Officer, Class II./Stacy Ang
