Manila: The House of Representatives on Wednesday elected new members for the Commission on Appointments (CA) during the special session called by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

According to Philippines News Agency, those elected to represent the House in the CA include Deputy Speaker and La Union Representative Francisco Paolo Ortega V, TGP Party-list Representative Jose Teves Jr., Quezon City Representative Franz Pumaren, Quezon Representative Wilfredo Mark Enverga, and Negros Occidental Representative Mercedes Alvarez. They replaced Camiguin Representative Jesus Romualdo, Abono Party-list Representative Robert Raymond Estrella, Agusan del Sur 2nd District Representative Adolph Edward Eddiebong Plaza, Cavite 5th District Representative Roy Loyola, and Camarines Sur 4th District Representative Arnulf Brian Fuentebella.

President Marcos, by virtue of Proclamation 1318, called for the special session of Congress not only for both chambers to urgently consider the passage of eight identified priority measures but also to enable the CA to convene and act on appointments made to the Cabinet, the military, and the foreign service.

The CA is now set to tackle the confirmation of eight Cabinet members, five generals of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and other appointees to diplomatic posts. The CA is the body mandated to confirm or reject Presidential appointments. It was established as a means of restraint against appointment abuse, and to protect and enhance the public interest.