Diokno needs CA nod as BSP gov, reminds solon

MANILA – Bangko Sentral governor Benjamin Diokno’s appointment as central bank head still needs confirmation by the Commission on Appointments (CA), a lawmaker said Thursday.

Citing the new Central Bank Act, or Republic Act 7653, House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez said the BSP governor “shall be subject to confirmation” by the CA.

Diokno left his previous post as budget secretary this week after President Rodrigo Duterte tapped him to replace the late BSP governor Nestor Espenilla Jr.

“I’m not questioning the appointment of the President I am just saying that we have to go through the process,” Suarez told ABS-CBN News.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Wednesday said BSP governors do not need to secure CA confirmation under Article VII, Section 16 of the 1987 Constitution.

As budget secretary, Diokno faced intense questioning last year over alleged insertions in the 2019 national budget. He has denied wrongdoing. (ABS-CBN News)