MARIA LOURDES "NANCY" S. BINAY

Mr. Chair,  distinguished members of the Commission  on  Appointments, with super Typhoon Karding, the latest but not the last storm to batter our country – agriculture is once again in the spotlight.  Even as we are still assessing the extent of the damage of the sector, this latest calamity only highlights the need to appoint someone capable to lead the Department of Agrarian Reform, which plays a huge role in food security and in our efforts to empower our farmers.

Mr. Chair, sa i-ilang buwan pa lamang na nagsisilbi si Sec. Conrado Estrella III sa DAR ay nagawa na niyang maisulong ang interes ng mga magsasaka.  This early in his tenure, Secretary Estrella has already earned admiration for the immediate implementation of the President’s order of a one-year moratorium on payments of amortization and interest for Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries or ARBs that would allow farmers to devote their resources to farm productivity.  He has also been exerting great efforts to dissuade ARBs from pawning their farms and seeking ways by which they could increase their farms’ output.

Secretary Estrella was one of the youngest elected congressmen at age twenty-six (26) when he represented Pangasinan’s 6th Congressional District in the 8th Congress from 1987 to 1995.

As a public servant and as a three-term representative of ABONO Party-list, he fought for the interest of farmers and authored measures for their benefit.  One of his most notable achievements is the passage of RA 11511, An Act Amending Certain Sections of RA10068 or the Organic Agricultural Act 2010, which aims to strengthen the resilience of farmers against climate change, improve the financing system for farmers and fisherfolks, and establish “instructional gardening programs” in elementary and secondary schools in the Philippines.

Pamilyar rin ang Komiteng ito kung gaano kasigasig si Secretary Estrella sa pagsiguro na tamang tao ang mga itatalaga para mamuno sa bansa bilang naging miyembro ng Commission on Appointments.  At siyempre, epektibong motivation din na bitbit niya ang pangalan ng kaniyang lolo na si Conrado “Lakay Condring” Estrella Sr., na siyang nagsilbing unang Kalihim ng Kagawaran at siyang nagbigay laman sa panawagang, “Land for the tillers”, na buod ng repormang agraryo.

Esteemed colleagues, recent studies show that agrarian reform has had a positive impact on poverty alleviation, and a crucial element in promoting social equity.  The climate crisis we are facing demands urgent action on how we use our resources. To that end, the DAR will play a key role in ensuring that agricultural lands, especially redistributed lands, are not diminished nor converted for other use.

Mr. Chair,   just   like   his   grandfather “Lakay Condring”, I believe Secretary Estrella can very well help in articulating policy reforms and strategies that address critical land issues vis-a-vis the agrarian reform framework.

We need someone who can provide clear insights in providing a comprehensive and integrated approach to poverty alleviation as we focus on preserving the productivity of land resources through better management.  In helping the President in his development agenda, we need someone with a strong political will who is prepared to protect our redistributed lands so that these could continue to be utilized to produce food for our people.

We need someone who will convince agrarian reform beneficiaries that there is a reward and more importantly, financial gain in farming.

We need someone who will champion and promote social equity through genuine transfer of lands to landless farmers.

With these, I respectfully recommend that this Body confirms the ad interim appointment of one of Pangasinan’s illustrious sons – Conrado Masonsong Estrella III, as Secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform.

Maraming salamat po.

“Mr. Chair, dear colleagues in the Commission on Appointments:

I stand before you to manifest my support for the appointment of Dr. Benjamin Estoista Diokno as Secretary of the Department of Finance (DOF).

Sec. Diokno is no stranger to the duties and responsibilities of the task at hand at the Department of Finance (DOF). He had served different administrations as a key member of the country’s economic team many times, either as Governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), or Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). 

Before being named DBM undersecretary in 1986, and between stints in government, he used his academic mind to teach economics to many undergraduate and graduate students in the University of the Philippines, including this representation. 

Sec. Diokno’s two accolades in his decades-long service to our country and academia stand out: being hailed as the Best Central Banker by the London-based The Banker, an international business, banking, and finance magazine; and being named Professor Emeritus by his peers in the UP School of Economics.

Having examined and executed policy and regulations, either as a university professor or a high-ranking government official, I am confident that Sec. Diokno will use his broad academic training in public administration and economics in formulating and dealing with the complex financial concerns and issues our country faces today. 

And as he had shown beforehand, Sec. Diokno has been and will be a key asset to the government, applying the theories and rigors of academia to initiate, guide, and institute several reforms and practical solutions to our country’s fiscal policies.

I remain optimistic that he will be again a major cog of the Marcos administration, just like his service in previous administrations.

With this, I urge my esteemed colleagues to vote in favor of Sec. Diokno’s appointment as Secretary of Finance. 

Thank you very much.”

“Mr. Chair, distinguished Members of the Commission on Appointments, I would like to make a manifestation of support for the confirmation of the ad interim appointment of the Department of Migrant Workers’ Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople.

Public service has always been in the DNA of Sec. Toots.  Her father, the late Senate President Blas Ople, was a known champion of labor rights and Sec. Toots has spent her life continuing her family's legacy.

A long time OFW advocate, she is the founding head of the Blas F. Ople Policy Center and is at the forefront of the fight to protect migrant workers’ rights.

With the DMW being a new department, I believe that we need a steady hand in order to guide the department through this transition period.

She also has talked to migrant workers to know their utmost concerns, which she will prioritize if she accepts the role of DMW Secretary to make sure OFWs and their families will receive assistance from the government.

In her first few months in the department, she already instituted the necessary steps to improve how the government caters to the needs of overseas Filipino workers.

I personally worked with Secretary Toots and I witnessed first-hand her passion and her dedication to making sure that the rights of our migrant workers and their families are always taken care of.

When my father, former Vice President Jejomar C. Binay was named OFW czar, she was one of his trusted advisers and an active partner during consultations with different stakeholders.

I can think of no one better to head the department dedicated solely for the protection and welfare of over ten (10) million Filipinos working overseas.

I fully support Secretary Toots and I firmly believe that she will be a welcome addition to the cabinet.

Thank you.”

“Mr. Chair, dear colleagues in the Commission on Appointments:

I have the privilege to stand before you to manifest my support to the confirmation of the appointment of Atty. Raphael Perpetuo Mercado Lotilla as Secretary of the Department of Energy (DOE).

Attorney Lotilla gained a wealth of experience   from   the   public   and   private

sectors, having served our country in various capacities, either as a government official, consultant, or as a law professor,  and directorships in the private sector. 

He is no stranger to the duties and responsibilities of the DOE Secretary, having first assumed the Department’s leadership from 2005 to 2007.

Before that, Attorney Lotilla was the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM), the government agency tasked in privatizing assets of the National Power Corporation (NPC).

He also served in the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) as an Undersecretary for three (3) presidents, as well as in the Legislative Executive  Development   Advisory   Council 

(LEDAC). 

Prior to and in between government stints, Atty. Lotilla was a law professor at the University of the Philippines College of Law, a consultant for the Senate, and an independent director of several corporations.

He obtained two (2) undergraduate degrees (Psychology and History) and a law degree from UP, as well as a Master of Laws from the University of Michigan.

This representation believes that Attorney Lotilla has the necessary experience and knowledge to lead the DOE and execute its myriad functions pertaining to energy development and management, as well as the competence to rally the support of both public and private sectors in achieving the DOE’s thrusts and goals.

With this, I urge my esteemed colleagues here at the Commission on Appointments to vote in favor of Atty. Raphael Perpetuo Mercado Lotilla as DOE Secretary.

Thank you very much to all.”

“Mr. Chairman, dear colleagues in the Commission on Appointments:

I stand before you to manifest my support to the appointment of Evangelina Lourdes Arroyo-Bernas as our country’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Austria, with concurrent jurisdiction over the Republic of Croatia, Republic of Slovenia, and Slovak Republic.

This representation believes in the work ethic and excellence, as well as the humility, demonstrated by Ambassador Arroyo-Bernas, having worked with her in the National Museum of the Philippines Board of Trustees. As Chair of the NMP Board of Trustees, Ambassador Arroyo-Bernas was instrumental in pushing for the preservation of our country’s cultural and natural history, and heritage.

Before this, she also pushed for the conservation of our shared marine and coastal resources as a policy officer of the World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI), a multilateral partnership of our country, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste.

Ambassador Arroyo-Bernas is well-versed in the science and discipline of foreign relations, having obtained a masters’ degree in international relations from Georgetown University. 

She has also manifested grit and fortitude, having been one of only three in her batch who successfully hurdled the tough foreign service examination administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs in 2001.

This representation views the stated attributes would greatly serve Ambassador Arroyo-Bernas in maintaining bilateral and multilateral relations in the territories, as well as our country’s permanent missions; she has jurisdiction within one of Europe’s cultural,  scientific,  and diplomatic   capitals, Vienna.

With this, I urge my esteemed colleagues to vote in favor of Evangelina Lourdes Arroyo-Bernas appointment as our country’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Austria, with concurrent jurisdiction over the Republic of Croatia, Republic of Slovenia, and Slovak Republic. 

Thank you very much.”

“Mr. Chair, dear colleagues in the Commission on Appointments:

I stand before you to manifest my wholehearted support to the confirmation of the ad interim appointments of the honorable General/Flag and Senior Officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

These Officers have dedicated their lives to serving our nation and its people, and have maintained sterling reputations.

I believe that these Officers will still be able to give much more than what they have given in the past.  Umaasa ako na patuloy silang magsisikap upang itaguyod ang Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas, at nang mas epektibo nitong maipagtanggol ang ating mahal na bansa at mga kababayan.

With this, I urge my esteemed colleagues to vote in favor of the confirmation of their appointments.

Maraming salamat po.”

“Mr. Chair, dear colleagues in the Commission on Appointments:

I stand before you to manifest my support for the ad interim appointment of Mr. Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. as Secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND).

Secretary Teodoro’s appointment comes with minimal risk, as he has already proven his mettle during his first stint with the department during the Arroyo administration.  It was, in fact, during his first stint that the country had seen what Secretary Gibo is capable of, as his qualities shone during various crises that afflicted our nation. 

I believe that the years have only sharpened Secretary Gibo’s acumen.  He brings to the table a wealth of experience that will be crucial as the nation navigates various challenges and threats to our national security.

As a fellow Iskolar ng Bayan, I have full confidence that as ever, he will strive to abide by the principles of Honor and Excellence that our alma mater instills in each student. He is fully qualified for the task of leading our defense efforts, not only because of his extensive curriculum vitae, but because of his empathy and sincere desire to serve our people and uphold their welfare.

With this, I urge my esteemed colleagues to vote in favor of Secretary Teodoro’s ad interim appointment as Secretary of National Defense. Tiwala akong kayang-kaya niyang pasanin ang mabigat na responsibilidad na ipinapataw sa kanya.

Maraming salamat po.”