Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual might not have been entirely forthcoming about his role in the leadership row at the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) when he faced the Commission on Appointments (CA) Tuesday (December 6).
Pascual failed to get the powerful committee’s nod as some of its members questioned him about the designation of PEZA Deputy Director General Tereso Panga as the agency’s officer-in-charge (OIC).
Pascual claimed Panga assumed the post of OIC and subsequently booted out PEZA director general Charito Plaza in accordance with memorandum circulars issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declaring certain posts in the executive branch vacant.
Surigao Del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, a CA member, said Panga’s apparent usurpation of Plaza’s post has resulted in chaos within PEZA. He also accused Pascual of lying when the Trade Secretary claimed that he only knew about the leadership row at PEZA during the hearing.
“You’re lying. Sasabihin mo sa amin ngayon na you only knew. Anong klaseng Secretary ka, ngayon mo lang malalaman? You know it from the very beginning because it was you who gave the order to Panga,” he said.
A memorandum dated September 8, 2022 and signed by Pascual “clarified/confirmed” Panga’s authority as PEZA’s director general.
In the memo, a copy of which was obtained by Politiko, Pascual told Panga that he has “the authority to assume the powers, duties and responsibilities of the Director General (DG) of PEZA until 31 December 2022, or until a replacement has been appointed or designated, whichever comes first.”
“To this end, the functions of issuing appointments, delegating functions, and designating/transferring personnel (collectively, ‘human resource actions’) previously delegated to the DG under PEZA Board Resolution 21-113, Series of 2021, are likewise expected to be performed by the OIC-DG, pursuant to MC No. 1, Series of 2022, and subject to the limitations set forth under the pertinent PEZA Board Resolutions,” Pascual’s memo read.
Pascual said Panga is also entitled to representation and travel allowances, but not to the salary of the position of OIC director general.
Citing lack of time, the CA suspended the confirmation hearing on Pascual’s Cabinet appointment.
