Duterte wants retiring Army chief to head DSWD

Updated (9:38 p.m.)

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said he wants Army Chief Liutenant Rolando Bautista to be the next Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary.

In a speech before alumni of the Philippine Military Academy on Thursday night, the President announced Bautista as his choice for DSWD secretary.

“I’ll announce it, the next DSWD secretary… Rolly, Rolly Bautista. Sorry secretary,” Duterte said, apologizing to the Army chief.

This was after the President mistakenly announced the name of Eduardo del Rosario, chairperson of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, as the next DSWD secretary.

The DSWD is presently headed acting secretary Virginia Orogo.

The President seems to have changed his mind for the post-military career of Bautista, who will retire on October 15 when he turns 56 years old.

Last month, as he was making the rounds of regions most affected by Typhoon “Ompong,” the President  said he wants Bautista to take over the NFA, succeeding resigned NFA administrator Jason Aquino.

Executive secretary Salvador Medialdea said Bautista did not decline the position of NFA administrator, but was instead offered a new post at the DSWD.

The President has yet to appoint a new NFA administrator.

Bautista, prior to being appointed to lead the Philippine Army, was commander of the Presidential Security Group. He belongs to the Philippine Military Academy “Sandiwa” Class of 1985.

He served as commander of the task force that defeated the Maute terrorist group during the months-long Marawi City siege in 2017.

READ: Duterte looking for new NFA chief as Jason Aquino has asked to be relieved