Ochoa named acting DILG chief

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr.

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III has designated Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. as officer in charge of the Department of the Interior and Local Government following the untimely death of Secretary Jesse Robredo, Communication Secretary Ricky Carandang said Tuesday.

“Yes, it’s Ochoa,” Carandang said in a text message when asked to confirm who would serve as OIC of the DILG.

Robredo, 54, was heading to his hometown of Naga City on Saturday from central Cebu City, where he had met with local officials, when one of the plane’s engines stalled 30 minutes into the flight. The plane crashed as it attempted an emergency landing at the Masbate airport.

His body was found and retrieved early Tuesday from the sea off a Masbate where his small plane had crashed. Jamie Elona, INQUIRER. net and Philippine Daily Inquirer