Duterte names new MMDA chief

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has replaced Thomas Orbos as general manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Malacañang announced yesterday.

In an order dated April 18, Duterte appointed Jose Arturo Santillan Garcia Jr. as the new MMDA chief.

Prior to Garcia’s appointment, Orbos had been serving as MMDA general manager and Department of Transportation undersecretary for roads.

Garcia is no stranger to the job at the MMDA, having served the agency as its assistant general manager for planning.

Malacañang also announced the appointment of Marissa Cabreros as deputy commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue; Thelma Sablay Ciudadano and Marko Romeo Lizada Fuentes as members of the Professional Regulatory Board of Accountancy of the Professional Regulation Commission, and Jonathan Uy as assistant director general of the National Economic and Development Authority.

Junino Bonito Padilla was designated Director II of the Presidential Communications Operations Office; Ermie Garon as member of the Business and Industry Sector of the Philippine Commission on Women; Dustin Jay Condez, director III of the Department of Budget and Management; Gelagio Dumpao  Bongngat, director III of the National Bureau of Investigation; Nelson Cainghog, director IV of the Commission on Higher Education; Allen Arat Capuyan as presidential adviser for indigenous peoples’ concerns; Anna Khristine Mongaya, prosecutor III of Mati City in Davao Oriental;  Alejandro Ferraren, prosecutor IV of Bais City, Negros Oriental; Prosecutor I, provincial prosecutor of Davao del Sur, and Rocarma Nuesca, prosecutor II of Davao del Norte.

The President also appointed Akmad Sakkam as ambassador to Jordan, with concurrent jurisdiction over the State of Palestine. Sulpicio Miguel Confiado was named ambassador to Egypt, with concurrent jurisdictions over Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Sudan.