Appointment of Dino as presidential assistant backed

CEBU, Philippines - Even before the manifesto questioning the appointment of Cebuano businessman Michael Lloyd Dino as Presidential Assistant for the Visayas, prominent names have expressed confidence over Dino’s ability to handle the post.

"As I've known Mike Dino, I think the President made a very good choice," said House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez in a statement.

He described Dino as very energetic and a good businessman with great plans for the Visayas.

Renowned Cebuano designer Kenneth Cobonpue, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) President Melanie Ng, and Norkis Group Chairman Norberto Quisumbing Jr. also believe Dino can represent the Visayas best in Malacañang and in the Duterte cabinet.

Cobonpue said he has known Dino since kindergarten and can attest to his reliability and dependability. He said Dino is the kind of person who does not need praises but always gets them because of the kind of output he delivers.

"I think we should all give him a chance because people sometimes step up to calling or a challenge instead of coming to conclusions about certain things just like we are giving Duterte the chance," Cobonpue said.

Ng, for her part, said the local business community looks forward to having Dino in Malacañang.

"The CCCI is looking forward to working with your office to further the programs of the new administration," Ng said.

 On May 20, Quisumbing sent a message to Dino after news about his appointment came out in the papers on May 18.

 "Heartfelt congratulations for your appointment by President Duterte for a very important job as Presidential Assistant for Visayas. All of us in Cebu are proud of you," Quisumbing said.

 One Cebu Party secretary-general, Third District Rep. Pablo John Garcia, also defended Dino from critics.

The manifesto questioning his appointment states that Dino, through the "Bisaya Na Pud" group he supposedly organized, reportedly questioned the alliance of the Duterte Campaign Team and One Cebu, which was allegedly resulted in his difficulty to engage allies in Cebu Province.

 "There's no truth to that. In fact, the opposite is true. As early as last year and even before Mayor Duterte could file his COC, Michael had already been working for an alliance between One Cebu and the Duterte group," Garcia said.

 Garcia added that Dino was responsible for arranging the first meeting between Duterte and One Cebu officials in January this year.

 Three months later, Dino accompanied Duterte to the formal signing of the alliance at White Gold House.

Opposition

The manifesto against Dino, dated May 26, was signed by a group of volunteers that campaigned for Duterte. They are suggesting that for nominees from the business sector, there should be a written and published disclosure of business interests and dealings with the government.

One of the signatories, lawyer Rex Fernandez, told The Freeman, "Gusto lang mi nga ang mapili diri sa Cebu, mo-represent sa Visayas group, ug dili lang tungod kay connected siya sa business interest… Naa ma'y mga maayo nga tawo nga maka-represent sa Visayas."

He said Dino's appointment may "spell a possible conflict of interest" considering that Dino is a businessman.

Dino is the executive vice president of Fifth Avenue Property Development Corp., the supposed partner of the Cebu provincial government in undertaking the Ciudad Project in Barangay Apas, Cebu City. It was a project that did not materialize after the city, faced with traffic problems, issued a moratorium on any construction along the Banilad-Talamban corridor.

Duterte named Dino as his Visayas presidential assistant last May 17 in Davao City, around the same time he bared the members of his would-be Cabinet.

 Dino earlier said he will be the voice of the Visayas.

 His functions will include executing the directives of the president and coordinating with line agencies in the region, among others.

 Once he assumes office, he said he will help find solutions to the water crisis and traffic problems. — /JMO (FREEMAN)