MANILA, Philippines – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has appointed another losing administration candidate in the 2007 senatorial elections to the Cabinet, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said.

Former senator Tessie Aquino-Oreta was named chairperson of the Early Childhood Care and Development Council (ECCDC), which carries the rank of Cabinet secretary, Ermita said.

Created through Executive Order 778, the ECCDC was tasked to "complement all efforts to develop the Filipino child's full potentials by nurturing them during the vital years from 0 to 6," Oreta said in a statement released by the Palace.

"We will help establish mother care communities and educate mothers to become mother mentors," she said.

Other losing candidates of the administration's Team Unity senatorial slate who were appointed to the Cabinet included: Socio-economic Planning Secretary Ralph Recto, Deputy National Security Adviser Luis "Chavit" Singson, Philippine National Railways President Mike Defensor, Dangerous Drugs Board Chairman Vicente Sotto III, and LWUAA chief Prospero Pichay.