Duterte’s ‘proxy’ gets top Subic post

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—Former presidential aspirant Martin Diño may sit as the new chair and administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

“[Diño] has informed me that he has been appointed chair and administrator [of SBMA],” outgoing SBMA Chair Roberto Garcia said in a text message on Friday.

Diño withdrew his candidacy for president last year and named then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte as the substitute standard bearer of PDP-Laban.

Garcia first announced the news during the flag-raising ceremony attended by SBMA employees on Monday. But he said the appointment would remain unofficial pending the release of Diño’s appointment papers.

Diño, a former Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption chair, met with Garcia and other SBMA officials on Thursday.

Lawyer Randy Escolango, SBMA deputy administrator for legal affairs, said Diño sent a transition team to facilitate a smooth turnover of the SBMA leadership. “Incoming SBMA Chair Diño’s appointment will be made official next week,” said Escolango.

Diño is the father of Liza Diño, the partner of singer Cariza “Aiza” Seguerra.

Mr. Duterte has appointed Seguerra as chair of the National Youth Commission and the young Diño as chair of the Film Development Council of the Philippines. Allan Macatuno, Inquirer Central Luzon