BINAY WELCOMES ENTRY OF MAR TO THE ADMIN CABINET
MANILA, JANUARY 23, 2011 (STAR) By Jose Rodel Clapano – Vice President Jejomar Binay yesterday welcomed the entry of former senator Manuel Roxas II as chief troubleshooter in the Cabinet.
Binay, who beat Roxas in the vice presidential race in the May 2010 elections, said he has no problem working with Roxas in the Cabinet.
"Welcome to the Cabinet. The elections are already over. We all need to help President Aquino fulfill his plans for the people," Binay said.
Binay, also concurrent head of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, stressed politics between him and Roxas had already ended after the winning candidates in the May 10 elections had been proclaimed.
Roxas, presently serving as a personal senior adviser to Aquino, earlier said he was glad to join the Cabinet as chief troubleshooter.
Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. also said earlier that he sees no problem with Roxas joining the Cabinet.
Ochoa said the present setup of the Cabinet would not change with Roxas' entry in June.
Ochoa belonged to a faction of supporters of Aquino that allegedly dumped Roxas and supported Binay in the elections. Roxas ran as Aquino's running mate under the Liberal Party but lost to Binay.
Ochoa had denied supporting Binay and said he was fine working with Roxas.
Malacañang said the entry of Roxas into the Cabinet would not isolate other allies of Aquino.
Presidential Communications Development Secretary Ricky Carandang said there had been a lot of interest in Roxas' appointment because he was the running mate of Aquino in the last elections.
"But if Secretary Ochoa has no problem with it and no one seems to have a problem with it, I don't see why there would be any kind of problem with the appointment of Senator Roxas," Carandang said.
Carandang also belied reports that Aquino had already endorsed Roxas for president in the 2016 elections.
An administration lawmaker supported Aquino's appointment of Roxas as troubleshooter in the Cabinet.
Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo said such an appointment would be beneficial to the government amid the criticisms that are expected.
"For me, I don't think that the work of a troubleshooter ought to be viewed as stepping on another (Cabinet official's) shoes or would result in any degree of functional duplication," Castelo said.
Castelo said the President could make use of Roxas' expertise and experience.
Roxas had served in the Cabinet of former President Joseph Estrada and carried over to the early years of the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo.
Roxas is a former congressman and senator.
"Quite apart from being P-Noy's party-mate, the good senator has a broad range of experience and expertise that can be tapped to the fullest and getting appointed as the Palace's troubleshooter is certainly part of it," Castelo said.
Castelo added Roxas also has a good reputation in the banking industry.
Ang Galing Pinoy party-list Rep. Juan Miguel Arroyo also welcomed Aquino's decision to add Roxas to his Cabinet.
"I don't see any problem with him (Roxas). I believe in his capacity given his experience as a former Cabinet secretary and as a lawmaker," Arroyo said.
Arroyo, however, chided Aquino for repeatedly criticizing his mother, the former president, for appointing losing party-mates when he himself was doing that now.
"However, I remember the time when President Aquino was still an active member of the opposition and he was lambasting former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for appointing losing candidates to her Cabinet, claiming they were already rejected by the people. So, why is he doing it now?" he asked.
As this developed, lawmakers comprising the Commission on Appointments (CA) will tackle the ad interim appointments of three Cabinet officials when it resumes hearings next week.
In separate notices of meetings issued by the CA earlier this week, it was revealed that Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo would be the first for confirmation on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, the CA would deliberate on the appointment of Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and resume consideration on the appointment of Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras. – With Aurea Calica, Paolo Romero, Marvin Sy
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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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