Despite confusion over constitutional power Senate confirms Tenorio’s reappointment

Apparently irked over confusion on the power of the Senate to confirm government appointees, members may have to ask the Supreme Court to rule on this issue in a move to settle this lingering row with the administration.

But senators agreed yesterday to first discuss the problem with Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio before taking this drastic action which they consider a last resort to resolve the dispute.

“We are going to ask the governor and find out his position,” said Senate Vice President Thomas P. Villagomez.

The move stemmed from concerns that two current board members of the Commonwealth Development Authority, who bypassed the confirmation process, may be holding the seats illegally.

The issue was brought up during deliberation on the re-appointment of Juan S. Tenorio to the CDA board during the two-hour Senate session yesterday, who was eventually confirmed, along with three other recent appointees made by the governor.

Sen. Juan P. Tenorio backed the move to let the court decide on whether the Senate has the authority to screen all nominations and appointments to government boards and agencies.

“Going to court doesn’t necessarily mean we are in total disagreement with the administration,” he told senators, “but in order for us to stop this confusion.”

According to Villagomez, they need to reach an understanding with the governor on where he stands on this issue before they can go to the court for redress.

“We have to put our foot down if he is saying that he has the constitutional right, so we can bring the issue to court,” said the senator, adding he would personally approach Tenorio during their visit to Washington D.C. next week to discuss this matter.

The Senate and the executive branch have come to blows in recent years over appointments, largely due to various interpretation of the constitutional provision empowering the upper house to have a say on this administrative function.

Early this year, the Senate passed a resolution to bring to court the long-standing tussle over Maya B. Kara’s appointment as acting attorney general, but no concrete step has been taken yet.

Last month, the Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Governmental Investigations raised concern over Connie Seman’s appointment to the Board of Elections as she was not confirmed.

The committee also is expected to recall appointment of Laura I. Manglona from the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation’s board after it was discovered that she is still a government employee which is a violation of the law.

Meanwhile, the Senate confirmed the nominations of Roman A. DL Guerrero to the Civil Service Commission; Ana D. Castro, Board of Public Lands; and Vicente H. Borja, Marianas Visitors Authority.