Palace: Former AFP chief of staff Oban is new VFA commission head

Former Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Eduardo Oban Jr. has been named the new head of the Visiting Forces Agreement Commission, Malacañang said Saturday.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said President Benigno Aquino III had always regarded Oban as a strategic thinker, a trait that would serve him well at his new post.

"He will be no stranger to at least the issues that are being handled by the VFA Commission," Valte said on government-run dzRB radio.

She added Aquino is confident Oban can bring his strategic thinking to his new post.

"Confident po ang Pangulo na madadala po niya itong skill na ito doon sa kanyang bagong post (The President is confident Oban can bring this skill to his new post)," she said.

Oban replaces retired Army general Edilberto Adan as head of the body. Before his appointment to the VFA Commission, he was appointed undersecretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications in 2012.

Valte said Edwin Lopez will take Oban's place as DOTC Undersecretary. — LBG, GMA News