Duterte bares new appointments

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – President-elect Rodrigo Duterte announced four new appointments to his Cabinet Thursday night.

Duterte named his longtime executive assistant, Christopher Go, as special assistant to the president and chief of the Presidential Management Staff.

Go has been dubbed the “national photobomber” because most of the photos of Duterte show him hovering about, especially during the 90-day campaign period.

A management graduate of De La Salle University, Go is considered “the man that Duterte cannot do without.”

Go has been with Duterte for more than 20 years.

Duterte also appointed TV5 news anchor and head of News5 Everywhere Martin Andanar as secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office, replacing Herminio Coloma Jr.

Andanar is married to Aleli Aguilar, daughter of Las Piñas Mayor Nene Aguilar.

The elder Aguilar is brother-in-law of former senator Manny Villar.

Duterte ran under the PDP-Laban, which is allied with the Nacionalista Party of the Villars who helped him during the campaign. The Villars allegedly helped fund the campaign of Duterte, but the president-elect has never confirmed this.

Duterte also appointed retired police general Ed Galvante as chief of the Land Transportation Office.

Duterte named former National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council executive director Ed del Rosario as undersecretary of the Department of National Defense.

Former Kilusang Mayo Uno leader Joel Maglungsod will also join the Duterte Cabinet as undersecretary of the Department of Labor.

Still searching 

The incoming Duterte administration is still searching for those who will head the departments of trade and industry, tourism, health and environment and natural resources three weeks before he assumes office on June 30.

“I have not found anyone yet. There have been talks but nothing is final yet,” Duterte said. 

Duterte said he personally goes over the credentials of possible appointees whom he could consider for the positions. 

Coloma to Andanar: All the best

Coloma welcomed the appointment of Andanar as his successor.

 “I wish him all the best. I am prepared to assist him in terms of ensuring a smooth transition,” Coloma said yesterday.

 Andanar is the second official that Duterte named in his communications team. The first is incoming presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo.

Last May, the Presidential Transition Committee (PTC) of outgoing President Aquino expressed willingness to provide Duterte’s transition team the necessary transition reports of all agencies, bureaus, government-owned and controlled corporation, and departments of the executive branch for a smooth transition of power.

“This will give the incoming administration ample time to review these reports before assumption into office. According to Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., the PTC is prepared to work and meet with the transition team of the incoming president,” Coloma said.

The PTC members are Ochoa, Coloma, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Emmanuel Esguerra, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Foreign Affairs Secretary Jose Rene Almendras and Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson.

 Upon Ochoa’s instructions, the most senior career official will be designated as agency focal person for the whole duration of the transition process leading to the inauguration of Duterte on June 30. 

‘Don’t prejudge Duterte Cabinet’

Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo urged the public yesterday not to prejudge the Duterte Cabinet.

Castelo said with the resounding electoral mandate Duterte received, people should trust him with the choices he makes for the members of his official family.

 “We would do well to give them the benefit of the doubt and let his brand of leadership succeed,” Castelo said.

“We operate from the assumption that Duterte taps only the best and the brightest to help him deliver on his commitment to effect peace in the land, eliminate corruption, solve the traffic problem in Metro Manila and render faster service,” he added.

Castelo, who belongs to the Liberal Party, welcomed the inclusion of nominees of the communist-led National Democratic Front to the Duterte Cabinet.

 “This move could be the first single step toward lasting peace and harmony among the Filipino people splintered by conflicting ideologies and agenda,” Castelo said.

Duterte appointees who have received criticism include spokesman Panelo, public works secretary Mark Villar and former airport manager Alfonso Cusi, who was appointed energy secretary.

Earlier, Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III urged Villar’s critics to give him a chance to do his job.

Albano said Villar is the youngest Duterte appointee and has a long way to go in his political and public service career.

 “I am sure he will do everything to protect it (his career) and his family’s name,” Albano said.

Critics have said Villar would certainly confront conflict-of-interest issues since his family is into real estate development, mining and water distribution, among other businesses. – With Delon Porcalla, Jess Diaz