Duterte Names Possible Members of his Cabinet; Leaves 4 Offices for CPP

Davao City — Presumptive President-elect Mayor Rodrigo Duterte named four members of his would-be cabinet while four departments will be open for the communist movement if leaders want to join his administration.

In his initial list are Senator Alan Peter Cayetano either for the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) or the Department of Justice (DoJ); Carlos Dominguez for the Department of Finance (DoF) if he accepts it; former Clark Development president Arturo Tugade for the Department of Tourism (DoT); lawyer Salvador Panelo for the Presidential Communications group; Pete Laurel of the Lyceum of the Philippines for the Department of Education; and former Press Secretary Jesus Dureza for the peace process with the Moro group and the former Justice Secretary Silvestre Bello for the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). The executive secretary will go to lawyer Salvador Medialdea.

He has also in his list, former Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) commissioner Perfecto Yasay, his former roommate during his law school days. He is also eyeing Gilbert Teodoro for a cabinet position.

During his first public appearance after the May 9 elections at the Matina Enclaves Clubhouse where he formally met well-wishers, Duterte announced he will open the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Social Services and Development (DSWD) for the anyone from the communist movement should they want to join the government.

Duterte said he has yet to talk some of those he mentioned.

He said he has also asked Cayetano to go on sabbatical leave and join his cabinet. Duterte said he is offering the DFA or DoJ to Cayetano but if he the senator opted to finish his term in the senate he could have someone lead the agency in an acting capacity.

As the search for other officials to fill the positions of secretary, undersecretary and assistant secretary, Duterte discouraged those interested to ask recommendations from politicians. He said once he will see recommendations attached to their applications it will be turned down.

According to him, seeking recommendations from politicians or from people close to him would show they are not competent for the job.

He said applicants should also agree to publish their names.

“I will decide on my own,” he said referring to the selection of his would-be cabinet, emphasizing that if something goes wrong he will be the one to bear the burden and answerable to the people. (PNA) RMA/LILIAN C. MELLEJOR/LDP