THE Commission on Appointments’ rejection of Judy Taguiwalo’s nomination as Social Welfare and Development secretary is yet another low point for Congress, which has sunk to so many lows under the current dispensation. But Lopez’s and Taguiwalo’s failure to hurdle the 24-person appointments body is unfortunate and emblematic of a wheeling-and-dealing Congress. Public regret for Taguiwalo’s departure will be even more significant, as no one is more eminently qualified to handle the Social Welfare portfolio than she. It was no secret lawmakers wanted a say on how the Department of Social Welfare and Development spent its budget, in aid of reelection. As Social Welfare secretary, Taguiwalo also made good on the President’s call for “change” by ending the practice of requiring indigents seeking government assistance to bring endorsement letters from their congressmen.

Source: Manila Times August 16, 2017 16:52 UTC