Bongbong Marcos partially bares ‘best people’ for his economic team

FILE PHOTO: Former President of the University the Philippines Alfred Pascual, Benjamin Diokno (center), Arsenio Balisacan. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — A day after being proclaimed winner in the May presidential election, President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. revealed a partial list of “best people” for his economic team.

“I know the economic team is critical and that is what people are looking to. I think we have found the best people for it who are able to look forward and anticipate what the conditions will be for the Philippines and the rest of the world in the coming years,” he said in a sit-down interview with select media.

He disclosed that the following have accepted the offer to be part of his economic team:

• Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas governor Benjamin Diokno as Secretary of the Department of Finance
• Former President of the University the Philippines Alfred Pascual as Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry

Marcos Jr. also said he “intends to nominate” SMC Tollways President and Chief Executive Officer Manuel “Manny” Bonoan to take the post of Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Prior Thursday, the president-elect’s camp announced that Marcos Jr. has picked former Philippine Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan to again lead the National Economic and Development Authority. Balisacan was NEDA chief during the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III.

The incoming President said his first priority is to revive the economy, acknowledging that “it’s very important to choose carefully the economic managers.”

In the same interview with select media, Marcos Jr. also revealed that he has tapped former congressman Antonio Lagdameo as his Special Assistant to the President.

His camp has been releasing the members of his upcoming Cabinet bit by bit.

Among the first names announced by Marcos Jr.’s camp to have accepted their offer to be part of his Cabinet were:

• Vice President-elect Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio (Department of Education)
• Former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chair Benhur Abalos, who also served as Marcos Jr.’s campaign manager in the May polls (Department of the Interior and Local Government)
• Atty. Vic Rodriguez, chief of staff and spokesperson of Marcos Jr. (Executive Secretary)
• Cavite 7th District Rep. Boying Remulla (Department of Justice)
• Former labor chief Bienvenido Laguesma (Department of Labor and Employment)
• Migrant workers advocate  Susan “Toots” Ople (Department of Migrant Workers)

KGA