CA confirms Cacdac as DMW secretary

DMW Sec. Hans Leo Cacdac —OWWA/Facebook

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Appointments (CA) on Tuesday officially approved the ad interim appointment of Hans Leo Cacdac as secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

Earlier in the day, the CA committee on labor, employment, social welfare and migrant workers chaired by Negros Occidental Rep. Mercedes Alvarez endorsed his confirmation at the committee level after the opposition of four individuals to his appointment was terminated as “baseless and unfounded.”

READ: CA bypasses confirmation of Cacdac as DMW secretary

According to Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, among the complaints raised against Cacdac were issues related to policies during the COVID-19 pandemic, the recent hacking of the DMW digital system, alleged neglect of overseas Filipino workers whose visas expired in Russia and the recent hostage-taking incident of Filipino sailors by Houthi rebels.

“Are these under the control of Secretary Cacdac?” Pimentel asked, adding that the accusations were general in nature and being orchestrated as part of a demolition job against the DMW secretary.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reappointed Cacdac in May after his appointment was bypassed when Congress adjourned sessions sine die. Cacdac, in turn, said he was elated and grateful for his confirmation.

“I am just thankful to the President and we are ready to roll up our sleeves,” he said. Cacdac took over the DMW after then Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople died in August 2023. —Tina G. Santos