Who would you think the best person for DILG?

[Axelremadeyo]

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what roxas wants, roxas gets, dako og utang kabubut-on si pnoy ani ni mar kay kong wa pa musibog, di siya mapresidente.

[cliff_drew]

So it's official. Mar Roxas as the new DILG Secretary.

It's official: Mar Roxas is new DILG chief - Yahoo! News Philippines

[Axelremadeyo]

roxas is now beaming woth joy....

[Renz8]

Tactical move by LP......

[jofer]

what a way to put roxas on the spotlight

[vipvip68]

Time for Roxas to prove his worth if he wants a chance in 2016.

[Axelremadeyo]

lagot si lacson ani kay interesado ra ba kaayo sad to siya .

[voldemort]

Congrats, Mr. Palengke! Syaro di kadaog sa 2016, 3years+ nga advance campaigning.

[Axelremadeyo]

Roxas sets major revamp in DILG

Puno exits; all co-terminus posts declared vacant

A major revamp is in the offing in the Department of Interior and Local Government as Liberal Party president Manuel Roxas II takes over the post left vacant by the death of Secretary Jesse Robredo.

“All co-terminus positions will now be vacant,” said Roxas, who will be replaced as Transportation and Communication chief by another Liberal Party official, Cavite Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya.

In announcing the new appointment, President Benigno Aquino III said Roxas would have a free hand to bring his own people into the department.

We are giving Mar the freedom to choose his own people, including the heads of the agencies under the DILG,” Mr. Aquino said.

These agencies include the Philippine National Police, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Philippine Public Safety College, the Local Government Academy, and the National Police Commission.

Roxas said Interior Undersecretary Rico Puno, a shooting buddy of the President, would likely be given a new assignment outside the department.

While Robredo was acting secretary, the President gave Puno, a close associate, control of the police, a move that some saw as a sign he did not have full confidence in his local government chief.

On Thursday, the President denied that Roxas’ appointment was aimed at improving the chances of the Liberal Party in the 2013 and 2016 elections.

His primary function is to advance the country’s interest over the party’s interest,” Mr. Aquino said.

The President also denied allegations that this was case of political expediency.

“Political expediency connotes that he is not qualified and we are doing this as a favor to him,” the President said.

Mr. Aquino said Roxas was really on top of his choices for the DILG post.

He added that Roxas and Robredo, who died in a plane crash on Aug. 18 while en route to Masbate to deliver a speech on behalf of the President, both shared his “complete trust.”

Roxas said it would be difficult to fill Robredo’s shoes.

“I am not Jesse Robredo… Compared to him, I have many deficiencies,” Roxas said.

He said he wasn’t giving any thought to the 2016 presidential elections these days.

“I can only succeed with all thoughts of 2016 out of my mind,” Roxas said.

At the Transportation Department, Abaya said officials would keep their post, given their competence and track record.

“We intend to continue with the current team in the [department]. They have been well organized and well prepared. A high-caliber team has been set in place,” Abaya said.

The President appealed to the Commission on Appointments to confirm Roxas and Abaya as soon as possible.

They cannot sit in their respective posts until they are confirmed,” Mr. Aquino said.

“Congress is in session so we cannot make an ad interim appointment. This is why we are asking the CA to act on these appointments immediately,” he added.

But Abaya said he will assume the post after the 2013 proposed budget is approved on third reading at the House of Representatives by mid-October.

Among Roxas’ priorities are several pending investigations, Mr. Aquino said.

He also said Roxas would have to give priority to upgrading the facilities of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

The President said Roxas will also have to make it his top priority to dismantle private armed groups, especially in light of the 2013 mid-term polls.

Abaya, on the other hand, should give priority to infrastructure projects, especially those that affect tourism, the President said.

At the House, lawmakers from both sides of the political fence welcomed the appointment of Roxas and Abaya.

Opposition Rep. Simeon Datumanong, member of the 11-man House contingent in the powerful Commission on Appointments, said both Roxas and Abaya would be easily confirmed.

“Both of them are competent and capable to head their respective agencies,” Datumanong told the Manila Standard.

“Secretary Mar Roxas has been a congressman, senator and Cabinet member, while Congressman Jun Abaya is a lawyer, military man and congressman. Both are seasoned public officials,” he added.

Nueva Ecija Rep. Rodolfo Antonino, another appointments commission member, said there was no reason to delay the confirmation of Roxas and Abaya.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. praised Abaya’s “methodical, though low-profile style.”

He added that Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong will replace Abaya as chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations.

Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales said Roxas and Abaya both had the character, integrity and administrative capability to handle their respective jobs.

Easter Samar Rep. Ben Evardone said the new appointments would give the ruling party “a big boost.”

But San Juan Rep. Joseph Victor Ejercito criticized the President’s decision to keep the two powerful portfolios under the Liberal Party’s control.

Not to undermine the capability of Secretary Roxas and Representative Abaya, but I think the appointment is obviously for the strengthening of the LP’s position in the coming 2013 and 2016 elections,” Ejercito said in a statement.

Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casino added that the DILG might be politicized with Roxas’ political ambition for 2016 presidential elections.

Senate President said Roxas’ appointment showed the depth and trust that Mr. Aquino had in his 2010 running mate.


Roxas sets major revamp in DILG - Manila Standard Today - Daily news, current events, latest news in the Philippines - Manila Standard Today


party strengthening gyud ni mao nga si mar ang gibutang for this powerful position.

[andee21]

well...mar roxas got the most coveted post among the other govt agencies. oh well....what can I say. I don't have anyone in mind but IMO, there's someone else more deserving than Roxas. And Abaya for DOTC? I personally don't follow his achievements in Congress, how's he?