Duterte eyes ‘Chinese-Filipino’ to head NFA

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said he is looking for a “Chinese-Filipino” to head the National Food Authority (NFA) after his initial choice, Army Chief Rolando Bautista, was offered a new post at the Department of Social Welfare and Department (DSWD).

“Rolly Bautista is DSWD. Ngayon, ang NFA, I’m looking for somebody else. I’m looking for a Chinese who’s been there in the business maybe 20 years,” Duterte told reporters in Malacañang.

Asked to clarify the President’s statement, Special Assistant to the President Bong Go told INQUIRER.net in a text message that what the President meant was a “Filipino-Chinese.”

Duterte, however, did not name his choice of NFA Administrator.

“I’ll just (ask) him to, in the meantime, to be the NFA. Alam man nila ang negosyo na iyan (They know the business),” he said.

The President had announced that Bautista would be the next National Food Administrator (NFA) administrator after Jason Aquino had asked to be relieved from the post.

A former commander of the President’s security group, Bautista is retiring from military service this month.

READ: Duterte wants retiring Army chief to head DSWD