Malacañang bares more than 50 new appointees, defends Villa designation

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang yesterday revealed the names of more than 50 appointees in various state agencies and state-owned corporations.

Those included in the list were Laura del Rosario (foreign affairs undersecretary); Rufino Bomasang, Luis Uranza and Francisco Ignalaga Jr. (acting board members of the Philippine National Oil Co.-Exploration Corp.); Maria Andrea Pasion-Flores (acting executive director of the National Book Development Board); Ma. Karina Bolasco, Ani Almario, Ruel de Vera and Isagani Cruz (members of the National Book Development Board); Marlou Ubano (Transportation Assistant Secretary); and Roberto Oliva (assistant secretary of the Environment department).

Also in the list were Jose Villarin and Guillermo Tabios III (acting board members of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System); Gilberto Reyes, Reynaldo Tagudando and Danilo Versola (Directors IV of the Public Works department); Jocelyn Reyes (National Economic and Development Authority Director IV); and Angelica Sarmiento (Acting Director IV of the Finance department).

The Palace also defended the appointment of former Agrarian Reform Secretary Rene Villa as acting member of the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) board, saying he has the integrity to handle the post.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said it would be unfair to discredit Villa just because he worked for the previous administration.

“We have comrades who have worked for previous presidents. It’s unfair to say that because he (Villa) was in the government for a certain time, his appointment should be criticized,” Valte said over ratio dzRB.

She stressed that all the appointees of President Aquino went through thorough screening and evaluation.

“His (Villa) capability to discharge his duty as acting member of the board of LWUA has been assessed,” she said.

When asked if Malacañang believes that Villa would not do things that the previous LWUA leadership was accused of, Valte said: “Yes, we are confident. The President would not appoint someone there if he has not been screened and if he has no integrity,” she added.

Villa occupies the slot vacated by Prospero Pichay, who was dismissed from service last July for allegedly diverting P780 million of LWUA funds to acquire a Laguna-based thrift bank in 2009.

Pichay, an ally of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, has denied the allegation and has claimed that he was a victim of politics.

However, there was no letter from Malacañang intending to appoint Villa as LWUA chairman. President Aquino signed Villa’s appointment last Aug. 24.

Villa served as agrarian reform secretary from August 2004 to July 2005, when he, along with the so-called Hyatt 10, a group of Cabinet members, resigned after Arroyo was accused of rigging the 2004 polls.

Other members of the Hyatt 10 who are now working for the Aquino administration are Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles.