Marcoleta denies lobbying to be energy chief

MANILA, Philippines — Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta declared yesterday that contrary to persistent reports, he has not been lobbying for president-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to appoint him as secretary of the Department of Energy (DOE).

“Our countrymen should know that I have not been lobbying for that position,” Marcoleta said. “The only thing that I want to be assured of, is that whoever sits there should be able to address all our problems regarding our high electricity bills.”

The representative of the reelected Sagip (Social Amelioration and Genuine Intervention on Poverty) party-list, nevertheless, said he was “thankful” to be considered for the DOE post even if he has not been lobbying for it.

Marcoleta, a veteran lawyer-congressman who withdrew his senatorial candidacy a few weeks before the May 9 general elections, said he would rather choose to go where his help is needed more.

In an interview with Net 25, Marcoleta hinted he is more inclined to continue his legislative work as party-list lawmaker and continue pushing for measures in line with his advocacies.

“Sagip got two seats in the recent elections. And now, because we have two slots, I may be even more energized with my advocacies,” Marcoleta said, noting that his senatorial bid was anchored on his desire to push for legislation bringing down the cost of electricity.

So when asked what kind of DOE secretary he was hoping for in the Marcos administration, Marcoleta said he wants someone focusing on reforms that would make electricity cheaper anywhere in the country.

Meantime, Rep. LRay Villafuerte of Camarines Sur lauded the appointment of Mayor Christina Frasco of Liloan, Cebu as secretary of the Department of Tourism (DOT) in the incoming administration.

He said the Philippine tourism sector is in “good hands under Frasco,” especially after she expressed her support for the development of lesser-known tourism sites and in safeguarding the welfare of the industry’s frontliners.

“We commend President BBM for appointing to the Cabinet a fourth official from the ranks of the LGU executives who know exactly what is happening on the ground and have first-hand knowledge of and experience in grassroots development,” he said, referring to the president-elect by his acronym.

Villafuerte that as a former governor himself (of Ilocos Norte), “incoming President BBM knows that local chief executives can bring a new perspective to the way national government agencies implement their programs and projects.”

He said local chief executives are also aware of the problems besetting small communities, which should be taken into consideration when crafting programs on the national government level.

Aside from Frasco, other former LGU officials appointed to the Marcos Cabinet are outgoing Davao City Mayor and now vice president-elect Sara Duterte as education secretary, former Mandaluyong City mayor and MMDA chairman Benhur Abalos as interior and local government secretary, and Cavite Rep. Jesus Crispin Remulla as justice secretary.