Diño remains all smiles, ‘happy’ despite replacement as SBMA chair

Despite news of his replacement as Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority chair, Martin Diño remained all smiles and insisted he was "happy" with the turn of events.

On Tuesday, Diño was spotted at the Philippine International Convention Center for the 120th anniversary of the Department of Justice which President Rodrigo Duterte attended.

Malacañang earlier announced the appointment of SBMA administrator Wilma Eisma as its chairperson. But it has yet to provide details on Diño's fate.

"Thanks sa lahat," Diño said, adding, "Masaya 'ko," when asked if he was saddened about the recent developments.

Ex-SBMA chair Martin Diño here at the 120th DOJ anniv pic.twitter.com/EKOd0XkOJX

— Trisha Macas (@trishamacas) September 26, 2017

Diño was supposed to give a statement to the media but VACC chairman Dante Jimenez stopped him and insisted that he reserve it for a scheduled press conference on Wednesday.

Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella earlier could not confirm if Diño would be appointed as an undersecretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

"Hindi ko rin po alam 'yan. I cannot say that," he said.

Acting Interior Secretary Catalino Cuy, meanwhile, in a message to reporters said his department was still awaiting Diño's appointment as undersecretary for barangay affairs.

"Matagal na iyan [plano na iyan]. Wait lang kami," he said. — MDM/KVD, GMA News