The ad interim appointments of Information and Communications Secretary Henry Aguda and Presidential Communications Office Secretary Jay Ruiz appear poised for bypass by the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA), as their names were absent from the schedule of CA hearings for the week.

The 19th Congress has only two session days remaining before its sine die adjournment on 11 June.

To recall, the CA had previously scheduled deliberations for Ruiz’s and Aguda’s appointments, alongside Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, last Tuesday. However, only Dizon’s appointment was recommended and subsequently approved the following day.

The CA deferred the appointments of Ruiz and Aguda due to “lack of material time,” stating it would resume consideration of their ad interim appointments “until further notice.”

Asked about the possibility of a bypass in an ambush interview, Senator Joel Villanueva said, “I haven’t seen the schedule, but if it’s not there, it looks like it.”

Under Section 17 of Chapter V of the CA rules, nominations or appointments submitted by the president that are not finally acted upon or are bypassed at the close of the session of Congress are returned to the president.

Unless new nominations or appointments are made, they will not be reconsidered by the commission.