Palace regrets Mariano’s rejection by Commission on Appointments

September 6, 2017

Malacanang said on Wednesday that it regrets that the Commission on Appointments rejected Rafael Mariano as the secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform.

"We regret the news of Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Rafael 'Paeng' Mariano’s rejection by the Commission on Appointments," Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement.

He cited what Mariano did for the promotion of the farmers' rights.

"Improving the quality of life of our farmers is the commitment of the Duterte administration, and Sec. Mariano has been pivotal in promoting farmers’ rights and welfare and ensuring their security of land tenure," he said.

"Our people will always be grateful to Sec. Mariano for his dedicated and passionate service to the nation," Abella added.

Mariano is the fourth nominee of President Rodrigo Duterte to the Cabinet rejected by the CA and the second Cabinet being backed up by the left.

Judy Taguiwalo of the Department of Social Worker and Development also failed to get the CA confirmation. The other two were former Environment Secretary Regina Lopez and former Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. Celerina Monte/DMS