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June 18, 2010 MANILA – Malacanang is bewildered at continuing speculations that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s alleged midnight appointments tied the hands of her successor President-elect Benigno Aquino III.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Gary Olivar said such speculations must end already since these are baseless, noting President Arroyo’s appointments are above-board and Mr. Aquino can always recall these as long as such action is in accordance with law.
“Upon assuming the presidency, he’ll be the most powerful person in our country so it’s untrue his hands will be tied,” Olivar said. Malacanang hopes speculations over the alleged midnight appointments can end already so people can focus on the more important task of moving the nation forward further.
Some of the presidential appointees’ government stint will end when President Arroyo bows out of Malacanang on June 30 this year. This means they’ll no longer be around when Mr. Aquino’s administration commences its work then, leaving him free to appoint people he chooses.
Appointees whose terms are co-terminus with the President’s own include Cabinet members. “They serve at the President’s pleasure,” Olivar said. Other appointees of President Arroyo have fixed terms but Olivar clarified Mr. Aquino can remove them from office for causes provided for under the law.
Among fixed-term presidential appointees are heads of Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and of Civil Service Commission (CSC). President Arroyo earlier appointed lawyer Leila de Lima and former health chief Dr. Francisco Duque to head CHR and CSC, respectively.
Both have terms of office extending beyond June’s end when President Arroyo turns over government to her successor.
Earlier, President-elect Aquino expressed intention to scrutinize Mrs. Arroyo’s alleged midnight appointments.