PNoy appoints Mar as new DILG chief; Cavite Rep. Abaya takes over DOTC post

(Updated 2:15 p.m.) — President Benigno Aquino III on Friday officially announced the appointment of Transportation Secretary Mar Roxas as the next Department of Interior and Local Government chief, replacing the late Jesse Robredo who died in a plane crash.

 

Cavite Representative Joseph Emilio Abaya, meanwhile, will take over Roxas’ post.

 

Aquino made the announcement in a Palace briefing at the President's Hall past 1 in the afternoon. Both Roxas and Abaya were present when Aquino announced their new designations. “Kailangan natin ng isang tao na may katulad sa atin na layunin. Kailangan ng isang kabalikat na magsusulong ng lahat ng prinsipyong ipinaglalaban natin. Sa kanya ako nagtiwala ano man ang mangyayari. Alam kong itutuloy mo, Mar, ang mga ipinaglalaban natin,” Aquino said on Roxas’ appointment. Aquino said Roxas was on top of a “very short list” of names considered to replace Robredo, and that he is “very, very capable” of handling his new duties. “Sa pagsabak ni Mar sa DILG, kailangang mahusay din ang pupuno sa iiwan niyang puwesto sa DOTC. At tiwala naman tayo sa kakayahan ni Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya,” Aquino said on Abaya’s appointment. “Alam nating kung mapupunta sa maling kamay ang liderato ng ahensyang ito, madaling pagsamantalahan ang mga proyektong napakalaki, at napakateknikal kaya madali ring itago sa publiko. Kumpiyansa tayong maipagpapatuloy ni Jun ang mga proyekto sa DOTC,” Aquino also said. The President appealed to the Commission on Appointments to quickly act on the appointments of Roxas and Abaya. “Nakikiusap po tayo sa Commission on Appointments sa Kongreso na ikumpirma sa lalong madaling panahon sina Mar at Jun,” Aquino said. “Hindi po sila makakaupo hangga’t hindi sila nako-confirm ng Commission on Appointments. Kailangan na po natin sila upang agad na ring maka-arangkada ang mga proyekto’t inisyatiba ng kani-kanilang kagawaran, at ng buong bayan,” Aquino added. Roxas and Abaya are ranking officials of the ruling Liberal Party: Roxas is party president while Abaya is the secretary-general. Aquino is party chairman.  Accepting his new designation, Roxas vowed to continue the policies started by Robredo. "Napakalaki, napakalawak, napakaselan at napakabigat ng responsibilidad ng pagiging DILG secretary. More than this, I have big shoes or tsinelas to fill. Hindi po ako si Jessie Robredo. Marami pa po akong kakulangan," Roxas said.

Meanwhile, Abaya said taking over Roxas’ post as DOTC secretary will be no easy feat. “Succeeding Sec. Mar… are tough shoes to fill, too,” Abaya said. However, he vowed to do his best in his new position and to continue with the projects started by Roxas in the DOTC. He also mentioned improving airport infrastructures as one of his plans, and promised to continue the investigation regarding Robredo’s death. Budget Secretary Butch Abad was the only other LP member in Aquino’s Cabinet aside from Roxas before the day’s announcement was made. The among names floated for Robredo's replacement included Mar, Abaya, Senator Panfilo Lacson, former Isabela Governor Grace Padaca and Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.  

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