Army chief to be named DSWD secretary

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte is set to appoint retiring Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Rolando Bautista as the next social welfare secretary.

Duterte announced that Bautista would become the next social welfare chief during a dinner with alumni of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) at Malacañang last night.  

“Announce ko naman, the next DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) secretary… si Rolly pala, Rolly Bautista (I am announcing that Rolly Bautista is the next DSWD secretary),” the President said.

Duterte previously said he would designate Bautista as the next administrator of the National Food Authority. Bautista was supposed to replace Jason Aquino, who resigned as the state grains agency was being criticized over NFA rice shortages and higher rice prices.

Duterte did not say who would become the next NFA chief.

Bautista is a member of PMA Class ‘85. He will retire from the military service on Oct. 15.

He was the chief of the Presidential Security Group before he took over as commander of the Philippine Army in October last year.