Manila, June 17 -- The Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday confirmed the appointments of five Armed Forces of the Philippines generals and flag officers, and 85 Department of Foreign Affairs officials during a special session called to act on urgent pending matters.

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, sitting as CA chairperson, first noted the election of the House and Senate contingents to the powerful appointments body before the newly elected members took their oath.

With 22 members present, Gatchalian declared a quorum and the CA moved to waive the five-day notice requirement for meetings, citing the special session called by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the urgency of the pending appointments.

Sen. Joel Villanu...