Roxas new DILG chief, Abaya to DOTC – Abad

Rappler.com

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(2nd UPDATE) Asked to explain the choices, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad says, 'Jesse's memory was a big factor hanging over everyone's head'

TO THE DILG. Transport Secretary Mar Roxas is reportedly headed to the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

MANILA, Philippines (2nd UPDATE) – Transportation and Communications Secretary and Liberal Party president Manuel “Mar” Roxas II will be the next Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad confirmed to Rappler on Friday, August 31.

Replacing Roxas is Cavite Rep Joseph Emilio Abaya, LP secretary-general, Abad added.

President Benigno Aquino III made the formal announcement past 1 pm Friday.

Last night, quoting Palace sources, both the Philippine Daily Inquirer and the Philippine Star reported Roxas as the next DILG chief, replacing the late Secretary Jesse Robredo.

“Yes it is,” Abad said in a text message Friday morning. “Abaya goes to DOTC.”

Asked what went into the decision, Abad said: “Not hard: integrity, competence and PNoy’s trust. Same basic elements that kept Jesse [Robredo] at DILG.”

Last Wednesday, August 29, a senior government official who spoke on condition of anonymity told Rappler that Roxas appeared to be the choice of LP officials and the party head himself, President Aquino.

On Thursday afternoon, August 30, the President formalized the offer to Roxas in a meeting in Malacañang at around 3 pm, according to an LP official. The President informed Abaya of his appointment through a phone call late Thursday afternoon.

For the Liberal Party, Roxas’s appointment to the DILG would “broaden his base” and help him “improve his image,” the senior government official told Rappler. Asked to elaborate, the official said: “It [the DILG post] gives him a fair chance to be competitive” in the 2016 presidential elections.

Within the LP, Roxas — as of today — is still the party’s bet for the 2016 elections.

The DILG has control over local government units and the Philippine National Police.

Asked if indeed the LP decided as a party to appoint Roxas to the position, Abad said: “No formal party process, but recommendations were being proposed.” He added that in the end, “it was PNoy’s choice.”

“Jesse’s memory was a big factor hanging over everyone’s head,” Abad added. Robredo died in a plane crash off Masbate on August 18; he was laid to rest last Tuesday, August 28.

Abaya to DOTC

TO THE DOTC. Cavite Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya is reportedly replacing Roxas as DOTC chief.

Replacing Roxas at the Department of Transportation and Communications is Abaya, a former Navy officer who is finishing his last term as congressman. Abaya, currently the chair of the powerful House Committee on Appropriations, was earlier seen as Robredo’s likely replacement. No less than Roxas himself pushed for his appointment, telling reporters that given the chance, his choice for the DILG post would be Abaya.

Earlier this week, Palace allies suggested that the Interior Secretary post be given to a member of the President’s party.

House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales earlier this week pointed out that with the death of Robredo, only two Cabinet members are left allied with the LP. These are Roxas and Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad.

Candidates

Prior to this, among the names floated as Robredo’s replacement were Vice President Jejomar Binay, Davao Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, former Isabela governor Grace Padaca, Senator Panfilo Lacson, and Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim.

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, who was designated officer-in-charge of the DILG, was also pushed by Vice President Jejomar Binay as someone “qualified” for the position.

Since Robredo’s death on August 18, speculation has been rife that the rivalry between the so-called Balay and Samar factions of the administration was renewed.

The groups are allegedly lobbying to take control of the DILG a year ahead of the 2013 midterm polls.

The Balay faction is identified with Roxas, while the Samar faction is linked to the Vice President. – with reports from Glenda M. Gloria/Rappler.com

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