Legarda eyed for DSWD post after Senate term ends in 2019

Will Sen. Loren Legarda take over the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) when her Senate term ends in 2019?

Legarda on Monday said she wanted to “exercise oversight” over a department that took care of the “most vulnerable and poorest” Filipinos.

She was earlier rumored to be President Rodrigo Duterte’s choice for the DSWD portfolio after the Commission on Appointments in August rejected Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo.

However, Legarda had been tightlipped about the issue, only saying she wanted to finish her term, which ends in 2019.

“I am not certain whether I am allowed to comment on that on national television, but my being mum about it would probably spill the beans,” Legarda said in an interview with cable channel ANC.

“Let me just say that I would want to exercise very strong oversight functions over a department that is very important, that takes care of the need of the people,” she said.

When asked if this meant she was open to getting the top DSWD job, Legarda said: “I just like to do oversight functions with all other government departments but this is a very important department that should take care of the poorest and the most vulnerable population like what is happening now with Typhoon ‘Urduja.’”

While she did not say if Mr. Duterte had formally offered the post to her, she offered that the President might have appreciated her work in the approval of the 2018 national budget.

Legarda chairs the Senate committees on finance, foreign relations, and climate change.

“All I can say is that I really appreciate the opportunity to be able to serve as a chairman of finance and I think the President hopefully appreciate the work we do, not just myself but the whole Senate,” she said.

“I hope to continue and finish the 2019 budget which is a year from now. Let’s take it from there,” she said.