Joker Arroyo hails permanency of Robredo, Paje appointments

MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino III’s decision to make the appointments of Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo and Environment Secretary Ramon Paje permanent has drawn cheers from Senator Joker Arroyo.

“That’s a very good decision on the part of the President to make their appointments permanent,” Arroyo said in an interview.

He said Robredo, the former mayor widely recognized for instituting local governance reforms in Naga City, and Paje, who rose from the ranks, were very much qualified to be appointed on a permanent basis.

“Paje is a career official in the DENR. He rose from the ranks. That’s why he’s a very good choice. Robredo has had his time in local government. He’s fit for the position of local government secretary,” Arroyo said.

Arroyo said the appointment of Paje and the impending confirmation of career ambassadors augured well for the career service sector.

“The President should be commended for promoting the career service. In other words, the appointments are not political,” he said.

Aquino made the announcement on the permanent appointments of Robredo and Paje during a state visit to Thailand, ending speculation that they would be replaced by his political allies.

Aquino’s partymate, defeated senatorial candidate Nereus Acosta, had been widely reported as a shoo-in for the top DENR post.

Without elaborating, Aquino said appointing Acosta to that post “could result in political conflict that might distract him from his job.” He said Acosta would instead be “coordinating ecological and environmental concerns.”

Arroyo said that the President’s party, the Liberal Party, should not lose heart because Acosta did not get the DENR post as Robredo would now be a permanent Cabinet member and Manuel Roxas II, the President’s chief of staff.

“They lose the DENR but they get the chief of staff and the DILG. The Liberals are not really crying,” he said. Both Robredo and Roxas belong to LP.

Meanwhile, Arroyo wondered why Malacañang was taking too long to draft the administrative order delineating the functions of Roxas vis-à-vis those of Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr.

Arroyo had cautioned Malacañang against creating the post of chief of staff since its functions overlapped with those the executive secretary’s.

“You’d think they’re drafting the Constitution. It’s taking them too long. That means it’s very ticklish,” he said.