Some Arroyo appointees draw flak

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo appointed Monday former Western Samar Rep. Antonio Eduardo Nachura as her new chief presidential legal counsel, the latest addition to the growing list of new faces in the Cabinet that Malacañang found itself defending from criticisms. Criticisms on the latest appointments did not come from afar as the Partido Demokratiko-Sosyalista ng Pilipinas (PDSP) of National Security adviser Norberto Gonzales joined the opposition in hitting it saying it was “unhappy" over the President’s revamp that began on Saturday. “That's a statement from the opposition, the matter of choosing a Cabinet is a prerogative of the President … but I think we could not just go along with the opinion of especially those who are against the national leadership," Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita told reporters at the Palace. “If we follow the opponents of the government, the more we would not progress. Imagine, we know they are from the opposition and then we will give in to what they want. The President has to make a choice," he said. Ermita however said Arroyo remains bent on appointing opposition leaders in her official family despite naming key political allies to her Cabinet. Nachura’s appointment brings to three the number of administration lawmakers appointed to the Cabinet. Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr, chairman of the powerful House committee on appropriations was named as secretary of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) while Antipolo Rep. Ronaldo Puno was appointed to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). Tarlac Rep. Jesli Lapus, chairman of the ways and means committee, is also being eyed for a key Cabinet position, a top Palace official said. DBM Secretary Romulo Neri went back to his previous post as chief of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) while DILG secretary Angelo Reyes was transferred to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) replacing Michael Defensor, who is now presidential chief of staff. Ermita said there would be “three or four names" to be announced in the coming days. Ermita said Puno’s appointment to the DILG, where he once served during the Estrada administration, had nothing to do with the local government’s campaign to amend the Constitution through a signature campaign or a “people’s initiative. However, Puno has said that he wants the Commission on Appointments to appoint him first before he will agree to assume the position. Press secretary Ignacio Bunye said there was nothing unusual in Puno’s statements as there have been similar instances in the past where a lawmaker appointed to the Cabinet preferred to wait for his confirmation before assuming the post, such as the case of Sen. Manuel Roxas during the Estrada administration. Ermita denied that the latest appointments were for political accommodation. Nachura, a two-term congressman, played a key role in defending the President during the canvassing of votes of the May 2004 elections. Nachura, who took over the vacancy left by Merceditas Gutierrez after she was named Ombudsman in November last year, served in the Executive branch in various capacities including education undersecretary and vice president and corporate secretary of the Government Service Insurance System. Nachura said he would do his best, as he did in his previous posts, in upholding the interest of the country. As chief presidential legal counsel, Nachura would act as the “in-house lawyer" of the Office of the President where he would review legal issuances and formulate the legal strategies and positions of the government, among other duties. “I was honored by the appointment," Nachura, a law professor and author, said. Malacañang on Saturday also announced the appointment of Dr. Esperanza Cabral as secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The President also announced the appointment of presidential adviser for external affairs Edgardo Pamintuan as the new chairman of the Subic-Clark Area Development Authority. Arroyo recently appointed Mindanao Economic Development Council chairman Jesus Dureza as the new presidential adviser on the peace process to replace Teresita "Ging" Deles, who was among the first wave of Cabinet officials to resign at the height of last year’s calls for Arroyo to resign. The President also named Jose Mario Buñag as the new Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) commissioner. Former agriculture secretary Arthur Yap, on the other hand, was named presidential adviser for job creation. Defensor will temporarily head the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) in concurrent capacity until Arroyo appoints a replacement for Secretary Rigoberto Tiglao, who was appointed as ambassador to Greece. Rene Velasco, head of the Philippine Information Agency, is reportedly being groomed to head the PMS. -GMANEWS.TV