President Aquino inducts 42 more officials
President Benigno S. Aquino III today swore into office 42 new officials of his administration in simple ceremonies in the Rizal Ceremonial Hall of Malacañan Palace.
Leading the list of new inductees were: Cayetano Paderanga, Jr., Director General of the National Economic Development Authority; Francisco Tolentino, Chairman of the Metro Manila Development Authority; Angelito Banayo, Administrator of the National Food Administration; and Macra Cruz, Office-in-Charge of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System.
Other officials who took their oaths of office before the Chief Executive were:
• Department of Foreign Affairs:
- Esteban Conejos, Jr., Undersecretary for Migrant Workers
- Rafael Seguis, Undersecretary for Administration
- Erlinda Basilio, Undersecretary for Policy
• Department of Finance:
- John Philip Sevilla, Undersecretary
- Crisanta Legaspi, Acting Chief of the Privatization Office, Privatization and
Management Office
• Department of Education:
- Francisco Varela, Undersecretary
- Rizalino Rizera, Undersecretary
- Yolanda Quijano, Undersecretary
- Alberto Muyot, Undersecretary
- Reynaldo Laguda, Assistant Secretary
• Department of National Defense:
- Honorio Azcueta, Undersecretary
- Samuel Bagasin, Undersecretary
- Pio Lorenzo Batino, Undersecretary
- Ramon El Martinez, Jr., Undersecretary
- Lamberto Sillona, Assistant Secretary
- Ernesto Boac, Assistant Secretary
- Fernando Manalo, Assistant Secretary
- Willie Palugod, Assistant Secretary
- Raymund Quilop, Assistant Secretary
- Jonathan Martir, Director IV
- Benito Ramos, Director IV
- Patrick Velez, Director III
- Nestor Castro, Director III
• Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
- Dimacangcay Pundato, Undersecretary
- Romulo Halabaso, Assistant Secretary
- Mario Victor Leonen, Chairman of the Negotiating Panel for the Peace Talks with the
MILF
- Miriam Ferrer, Member of the Negotiating Panel for the Peace Talks with the MILF
- Senen Bacani, Member of the Negotiating Panel for the Peace Talks with the MILF
• Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation
- Jorge Sarmiento, Member of the Board of Directors
- Jose Tanjuatco, Member of the Board of Directors
- Eugene Manalastas, Member of the Board of Directors
- Enriquito Nuguid, Member of the Board of Directors
• Eulalio Diaz III, Land Registration Authority Administrator
• Simeon Marfori II, Department of Tourism Undersecretary
• Emmanuel Joel Villanueva, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
Director-General
• Betty Nantes, Member of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Board of Directors
• Cristina Villarica, Director IV of the Office of the Appointments Secretary, Office of the
President.
Palace confident of legal premises of Truth Commission
Malacañang is firm that the creation of the Truth Commission is well within the power of the Executive department—those who say otherwise could raise any case before the Supreme Court to challenge its constitutionality.
Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda today said in a press briefing that opposition to the creation of the Truth Commission has been anticipated, but the administration is not bothered since the creation of the independent probe body falls under the Administrative Code of 1987.
Earlier today Justice Secretary Leila de Lima also expressed confidence that the formation of the Commission has sound legal premises, that include the legal points that were used to justify past decisions of the Executive branch in creating investigative bodies such as the Agrava Commission, the Melo Commission, and the Feliciano Commission.
“We believe that executive branch is well in its power to create the Truth Commission” Lacierda said in reaction to reports that members of the minority bloc in the House of Representatives will file cases before the High Tribunal challenging the constitutionality of the Truth Commission and its possible duplication of the mandate of the Office of the Ombudsman, a constitutional body.
Lacierda also stressed that the Truth Commission was established as a separate and independent body so as to avoid accusations of impartiality.
“Minabuti ni PresIdente Aquino na magtayo ng Truth Commission para walang mag-aakusa sa kanya na siya ay isang bengadosong Pangulo (President Aquino deemed it proper to create the Truth Commission to avoid possible criticisms that he is vindictive), ” Lacierda said.
Lacierda said the Aquino administration has full trust and confidence in the Supreme Court despite the fact that most of its members are appointees of the previous administration.
“We have to trust the institution of the Supreme Court, they are the final arbiter, and I’m sure that they will be ruling on the case based on the merits of the executive order and not because they were appointed by the former president.”
