CA rejects Ubial appointment

MANILA - The Commission on Appointments on Tuesday, October 10, rejected the ad interim appointment of Paulyn Ubial as Health Secretary.

Ubial is the fifth among the Duterte administration's cabinet secretaries that failed to get the powerful nod of the CA.

Ubial did not attend anymore the CA plenary session on Tuesday afternoon where her official rejection was formally announced.

Senator Gregorio Honasan who chairs the CA's Health Committee revealed there were at least 13 CA members who rejected Ubial.

Ubial, who was comforted by supporters, refused to make any comment on the termination of her appointment but maintained that her track record can speak for herself.

Malacañang has expressed dismay over CA's rejection of Ubial's appointment.

"We are deeply grateful for Secretary Ubial’s service to the Health Department and for epitomizing the President’s concern through her 'All for Health, towards Health for All' Philippine Health Agenda," Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said.

Abella said the executive department wished Ubial all the best for her future endeavors.

Ubial has been pushing for a new era of Universal Health Care where those who have the least can have the most. Aside from Ubial, other Duterte Cabinet members who were rejected by the CA include Perfecto Yasay (Foreign Affairs), Gina Lopez (Environment and Natural Resources), Judy Taguiwalo (Social Welfare) and Rafael Mariano (Agrarian Reform).