Robredo named DILG chief; Palace defends appointments of Lacson’s ex-associates By Aytch S. de la Cruz 07/10/2010

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Robredo named DILG chief; Palace defends appointments of Lacson’s ex-associates By Aytch S. de la Cruz 07/10/2010 President Aquino has finally dropped the Department of Interior and Local Government hat that he wore for a time as Malacañang yesterday announced the appoint-ment of former Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo as the new DILG secretary. Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. said Aquino signed Robredo’s appointment papers yesterday afternoon after days of deciding who he would give the crucial Cabinet post which was previously eyed by Vice President Jejomar Binay. Ochoa also disclosed to reporters the appointment of retired Maj. Gen. Magtanggol Gatdula as the new director of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) amid reports that Sen. Panfilo Lacson is set to return to the country soon. Gatdula reportedly served as Lacson’s deputy in the defunct Philippine Anti-Organized Task Force but Ochoa and presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda were quick to dismiss speculations that such background has anything to do with Gatdula’s appointment at the NBI. “The senator’s feelers were done prior to the appointment of Mr. Gatdula. So is there’s an indication, not so much because Mr. Gatdula was appointed as NBI head but because of the atmosphere or the belief that Senator Lacson will be able to obtain a fair trial under the Aquino administration. So I do not believe that there is any relevance or bearing to the appointment of Mr. Gatdula,” Lacierda told a press briefing. Ochoa said Aquino loosely based his decision in choosing Gatdula to head the NBI on his excellent track record while he was still serving the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) as its chief. He added his experience at the QCPD may have earned him endorsement from former Quezon City Mayor and now Rep. Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte for his candidacy to lead the NBI under the Aquino administration. Same defense was made by Malacañang in line with the appointment of Angelito “Lito” Banayo as chief of the National Food Authority (NFA)... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100710hed6.html