Palace: Duterte has 'alternative solution' if Año can't be DILG chief

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte is ready to tap an “alternative solution” if he can't appoint Gen. Eduardo Año, Armed Forces chief, as the next Local Government secretary, Malacañang said Tuesday.

 

Duterte announced last May that Año would be appointed secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government after he retires from the service but the law bars the appointment of newly-retired military or police officials to the post.

 

Section 8 of Republic Act No. 6975, the Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990, states that no retired or resigned military officer or police official may be appointed as DILG secretary within one year from the date of his retirement or resignation.

 

Año will reach the mandatory retirement age of 56 on Oct. 27.

 

READ: Duterte wants Año to take over DILG by June 2

 

When reminded about the law barring the appointment of newly-retired military officials as DILG chief, Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said: “He did make mention of General Año and he has also been made aware of the provision.”

 

The president's spokesman added: “And I’m sure he has an alternative solution regarding the matter…in order to be able to address the matter.”

 

Agencies under the DILG include the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

 

READ: 'Anomalous' DILG firetruck deal raised vs Sueno still on after all

 

Last April, Duterte fired Ismael Sueno over an allegedly anomalous firetruck deal with an Austrian firm that was, in the end, not canceled.

 

"It is a perfected contract and there is no temporary restraining order that prevents its implementation," Abella said in April, the same month Sueno left the department.

 

Abella’s statement was similar to the one issued by Sueno when he was answering claims that he was involved in anomalies.

 

Undersecretary Catalino Cuy, a retired police general, has been officer-in-charge of the agency since then.