Duterte eyes CNN hero Efren Peñaflorida to chair urban poor body

President Rodrigo Duterte wants to appoint CNN hero Efren Peñaflorida Jr. as the next chairman of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque announced Saturday.

"He said he wants to appoint 'yung galing sa hirap," Roque said in a statement. "'Yung teacher na may kariton na CNN awardee."

Roque also said that according to Duterte, "he wants someone who can contribute in solving the problems of the poor and activate pro-poor programs."

Roque said Duterte has directed Special Assistant to the President Christopher "Bong" Go to locate Peñaflorida, who was recognized by CNN in 2009 for his pushcart classroom for out-of-school youth.

Duterte had initially mentioned that he was considering Peñaflorida to lead the commission, days after he fired its officials over alleged unnecessary junkets and their failure to meet as a collegial body.

Roque, meanwhile, said that "[n]othing is certain at this point," since Peñaflorida has yet to be formally asked to "join the administration."

"Everything has to go to through a process. The other party has yet to give a response. Both parties also need to personally discuss and thresh out expectations to the job and/or position," he said.

Duterte accused ex-PCUP chair Terry Ridon of traveling abroad seven times since his appointment. Ridon had argued that those trips were covered by travel authorities issued by the Office of the President.

Peñaflorida was hailed as CNN Hero of the Year in 2009 for his advocacy of education for out-of-school youth through the Kariton Klasrum, a pushcart containing books, pens and other learning materials that he and his group's members take to slum areas in Cavite.

He is the Chief Operating Officer of Dynamic Teen Company, which implements the literacy program that Kariton Klasrum had initially intended. It has seen 4,214 Kariton Klasrum completers in 38 cities in the last 10 years, according to the group's website. —Nicole-Anne C. Lagrimas/ALG, GMA News