Duterte: Appointing Human Settlements chief a ‘long shot’ 

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday said appointing the Secretary of the newly created Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development would be a “long shot.”

Speaking to reporters in Malacañang, Duterte explained that he would consult Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and Senator Aquilino Pimentel III first before choosing someone to head the new agency.

“Mabuti na gusto nila ‘yung tao para he can receive a better reception, you know kung kilala nila ang tao (It’s better if they like the person so he can receive a better reception),” Duterte said.

Appointing Cabinet rank officials require the concurrence of the Commission on Appointments, a powerful body composed of lawmakers.

Under the recently signed law, the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) would be merged into a new department.

The new department would act as the primary national government entity responsible for managing housing, human settlement, and urban development. /ee

READ: Duterte signs into law bill establishing Human Settlements Department