Rodriguez heads incoming BBM Cabinet

UNMINDFUL of the persistent efforts by the urban operatives of the Communist Party of the Philippines and their remaining allies in the political opposition and the so-called ‘legal mass organizations’ to derail his formally ascending to the Philippine presidency this coming June 30, 2022 (see related article in this issue), presumptive president, Ferdinand ‘Bongbong/BBM’ Marcos Jr., continues to make himself busy by preparing the members of his Cabinet to be headed by his longtime friend, spokesperson and chief of staff, Atty. Vic Rodriguez, who would be assuming the post of Executive Secretary.

Vice President-elect, Sara Duterte, for her part, would be the new Department of Education (DepEd) secretary.

Also confirmed to have taken up the offer to join Marcos’ Cabinet is House Senior Deputy Speaker and Cavite Rep. Jesus Crispin ‘Boying’ Remulla, who is coming in as the new secretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ).

On the other hand, economist Arsenio Balisacan also agreed to re-assume his post as the country’s socio-economic planning chief as head of the National Economic Development Agency (NEDA). Balisacan was also the NEDA under the unlamented administration of Noynoy Aquino (2010-2016).

Bienvenido Laguesma, former labor secretary under the Estrada administration (1998 – 2001), would also be re-assuming the top labor post after it was offered to him by Marcos, said Rodriguez.

Susan ‘Toots’ Ople, daughter of the late senator and labor secretary, Blas Ople, also agreed to take up the position of the newly-created, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

Her farther was the labor secretary of Marcos’ late father, Ferdinand Marcos Sr., before moving on as an elected senator after Marcos Senior’s illegal removal in 1986.

As soon as his lead in the voting for president became apparent and insurmountable, a ‘Selection Committee’ was also formed by BBM to assist him in the task of selecting the most qualified members of his Cabinet and which reportedly include both Rodriguez and Laguesma.

Also now officially joining the Marcos Cabinet are the following:

Veteran journalist, Erwin Tulfo, Secretary, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD); Atty. Trixie Cruz Angeles, Secretary, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO);

Former Manila Rep. Naida Angping, Presidential Management Staff (PMS); lawyer and former Mandaluyong city mayor, Benhur Abalos, Secretary, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG); Atty. Ivan John Uy, Secretary, Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT);

Christina Frasco, Secretary, Department of Tourism; Manuel Bonoan, Secretary, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH); Alfredo Pascual, Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); and, Benjamin Diokno, Secretary, Department of Finance (DOF).

In between, Marcos also took time to greet the foreign dignitaries who started greeting him on his victory, with China’s ambassador to the Philippines, Huang Xilian, handing to BBM Pres. Xi Jinping’s personal congratulatory message.

The two leaders subsequently held a telephone conversation to emphasize the importance of the two country’s diplomatic relations.

Aside from China, the leaders of Russia, the United States, Japan, Australia, South Korea and India, among others, have also sent their congratulations to Marcos on his victory that is to be formalized anytime this week by a joint session of Congress.

The official reading of the canvass of votes for President and Vice President is scheduled to be read out by the joint session beginning this May 24, 2022.

At the last count, Marcos has a lead of more than 100 percent over Vice President Leni Robredo with a vote of more than 31 million against the more than 14 million of Robredo.

On the other hand, Vice President-elect Sara Duterte has a lead of more than 300 percent against her nearest rival and Robredo’s running mate, Sen. Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan, with more than 33 million votes against the over 7 million votes of Pangilinan.

As the date of Marcos’ formal assumption into office nears, more appointments are expected to be announced in the coming days.