Roxas’ expertise in economics, politics to define role in Cabinet, says Ochoa

MANILA, Philippines — Former Sen. Manuel Roxas II’s expertise in economics and experience in politics are among the factors that are being considered in defining Roxas’ role in the Cabinet of President Benigno Aquino III, according to Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa.

The executive secretary, however, said the details of Roxas’ functions were still being ironed out, as of Wednesday. He added that even Roxas’ official designation has not been decided on.

“We’re still discussing details of his official functions and probably that will be the time to really decide on his official title,” Ochoa told reporters in an interview at the Villamor Airbase on Wednesday.

Ochoa and several other Cabinet secretaries saw President Aquino off on his departure for Brunei, where he has gone on a two-day state visit.

“You know what Senator Mar is. His expertise is in economic policies, on economic matters. And probably, of course, he’s also a politician,” Ochoa

“As the highest official of the party of the President—the Liberal Party—there may be a lot of things there that he can advise the President on,” Ochoa said.

Ochoa denied a brewing turf war between him and President Aquino’s defeated running mate who is set to officially become a member of the administration after the one-year ban on losing candidates ended in May.

“That I think is a very misleading notion or impression that has been going around all over media and in various talks,” Ochoa said.

“There’s no such thing as a power struggle. There’s only one power here. It belongs to the President,” he added.

According to Ochoa, those who serve for the President have no real influence, and are only serving functions under the Chief Executive’s authority.

Ochoa said defining Roxas’ role has been simple. When asked why the administrative order defining Roxas’ role has been taking time, Ochoa cited the need to be “careful in the delineation of functions.”

“There is no issue on anything, except that we have to really be careful on the delineation of the functions,” Ochoa said.

Ochoa said doubts have been aired if the set-up could work but in the end, “there’s really nothing to worry about.”

“Defining (Roxas’ functions) is still a work in progress and we really have to be exact on the things that will be assigned to him,” Ochoa said.

President Aquino, in a recent interview, said that, in effect, Roxas would be his presidential chief of staff, a position that some thought could have overlapping functions with Ochoa’s post and that of Presidential Management Staff chief Julia Abad.

Ochoa and Abad have been tasked to draw up an administrative order detailing the functions of a presidential chief of staff that President Aquino could give to Roxas.

Ochoa and Roxas belong to different camps of Aquino supporters in the May 10, 2010 national elections

Critics have warned that the power rivalry between the two camps would worsen with Roxas’ entry into the Cabinet.