Duterte names former NPA rebel as labor undersecretary

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—President-elect Rodrigo Duterte Thursday night named more members in his Cabinet, led by a former Anakpawis congressman.

In his press conference at the presidential guest house here, Duterte said former Anakpawis Rep. Joel Maglungsod is his new undersecretary in the Department of Labor and Employment.

Duterte said Maglungsod is a former New People’s Amy rebel.

Maglungsod is the latest of the progressives Duterte included in his Cabinet. He earlier put former Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano as agrarian reform secretary and activist UP Prof. Judy Taguiwalo as social welfare secretary.

He also put TV5 Aksyon reporter Martin Andanar to head the Presidential Communications Operations Office.

He also named as Land Transportation Office chief Gen. Edgar Galvante.

Duterte named his chief aide Christopher “Bong” Go as special assistant to the president and as Presidential Management Staff chief.

Duterte put Ed Del Rosario to the Department of National Defense as undersecretary for civil veterans and retirees. TVJ