Gatchalian to Gadon: ‘We’re no presidential appointees’

SENATOR Sherwin Winn’ Gatchalian, who is a member of the Board of Governors of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), debunked the claim of lawyer Larry Gadon, that he and two other senators are ‘presidential appointees’ and could therefore be removed by Pres. Duterte.

In a brief statement to the Senate media last September 6, 2021, Gatchalian said he and senators Juan Miguel Zubiri and Richard Gordon are “not presidential appointees.”

“We were duly elected (to the) Board of Governors by the members of the Philippine National Red Cross,” Gatchalian said.

Gadon has been campaigning for the removal of the three lawmakers, especially Gordon, who is also PRC chairman, for “overstaying.”

Gadon also averred the PRC should be insulated from politics by removing from its board the three lawmakers.

But according to Gatchalian, PRC BOG members can only be removed, first, when their term ended, second, when they fail to participate in the PRC election and, for cause.

Under its charter, RA 10072, the 30 members comprising the BOG would have a term of 4 years while its officers shall have a term of 2 years.

The PRC is also mandated to submit an annual report to the President of the Philippines in the latter’s capacity as its ‘honorary president’ and by virtue of his prerogative to appoint six of the BOG members.

But Gadon averred that the PRC has failed to submit any annual report to Malacañang that should include how it dispensed with the money it has been regularly receiving from the government, particularly from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).