Duterte appoints ex-defense chief’s wife, Honeylet’s cousin

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has appointed the wife of former defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro as special envoy to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) while a cousin of the chief executive’s partner, Honeylet Avacena, is returning to government service.

Malacañang released yesterday the appointment paper of Teodoro’s wife, Monica Prieto Teodoro, which was signed March 7.  She was designated as special envoy to Unicef  for one year from Sept. 26, 2017 to Sept. 27 this year.

Duterte has also appointed the cousin of his partner Honeylet Avanceña to a new government post after firing her late last year. 

Melissa Avanceña Aradanas replaced Patrocinio Jude Esguerra III as deputy secretary general of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council.

Last December, Duterte fired Aradanas and four officials of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor, then chaired by Terry Ridon, for going on too many trips abroad.