Duterte: Gloria Arroyo not being eyed as next BSP governor

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday denied speculations that former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, an economist and an administration ally, was being eyed to be the next Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas governor.

Duterte said this as he stressed that whoever he would pick as the next BSP chief would have to get the nod of the Congress leaders and his Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez first.

“No [Arroyo is not one of the possible appointees to the position], I don’t think she would agree. Hindi ‘yan tatanggapin ni ma’am. Useless to speculate. Hindi tatanggapin ni ma’am ‘yang trabaho. Paupuin mo sa opisina uli?” he said.

In a two-hour press conference in Malacañang on Monday, Duterte said he would have to "listen to everybody including the Senate and the political leaders of the country [when choosing the next BSP chief]." 

"And the appointee, whoever he is, must have an acceptance to all... Part of the call would be Dominguez’s,” Duterte added when asked if he is going to choose an insider.

BSP Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. who assumed the post in July 2005 will end his term in July. He previously said he hoped Duterte would consider two insiders, Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo and Deputy Governor Nestor Espenilla.

Duterte’s party, PDP-Laban, has also endorsed EastWest Bank President Antonio Moncupa to the post. 

“We would be listening to – largely to Dominguez. And consultations with the leaders of the country. Because he might, you know, have a time, it is not acceptable to the other guys of government,” he said.

“I do not run this government alone. Although I appoint but there must be a concurrence also of the political leaders. Kasi ‘pag hindi nila tanggapin, mahirapan lang,” he added. — MDM, GMA News