Duterte appoints Bautista to DSWD, Locsin to DFA as secretaries

Retired Lt. Gen. Rolando Bautista (left) and Ambassador to the UN Teodoro Locsin Jr. (Photos from PA Facebook page and Philippine Daily Inquirer)

President Rodrigo Duterte appointed retired Lt. Gen. Rolando Bautista, former Army chief, and Ambassador to the United Nations Teodoro “Teddboy” Locsin Jr. to head, respectively, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Duterte signed their appointment papers on Wednesday.

In a speech before the alumni of the Philippine Military Academy two weeks ago, the President announced Bautista as his choice for DSWD secretary.

Bautista, prior to being appointed as commander of the Philippine Army, was commander of the Presidential Security Group.

He retired on Tuesday as Army chief.

Last Friday, Locsin already accepted the President’s offer for him to head the DFA.

Locsin will replace Alan Peter Cayetano, who earlier filed his candidacy for a seat in the House of Representatives in the 2019 midterm elections. /atm