PNP to support new DILG chief

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police welcomed the appointment of Transportation Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas as the new secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government Friday, considering the vast expertise and knowledge he can share in his new office, a PNP spokesman said.

Speaking to reporters after President Benigno Aquino III made the formal announcement, Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr., PNP spokesman, said Roxas brought with him a “wealth of executive experience and professional competence” as he takes over the operations of the bureaus and agencies being managed by the DILG, which includes the PNP.

“In the concurrent capacity as Chairman of the National Police Commission, Secretary Roxas is in the best position to continue the reforms initiated by the late Secretary Jesse Robredo,” he said, adding that among the programs which need to be continued were “transparency, accountability and people empowerment.”

While all the names mentioned were all “equally deserving and competent,” Cerbo said it was with Roxas whom the President has “complete trust and confidence” on.

“What is good about it is that Secretary Mar Roxas mentioned the vision, aspirations, projects, and programs started by Secretary Robredo will, more or less, be pursued,” he added.

“I urge the 148,000-strong men and women of the PNP to rally behind our new leader and patriarch in the DILG-PNP-Napolcom Family,” Cerbo said.

Roxas’ appointment tied to 2013 elections—Bayan

Bayan said it looked like the LP, through the appointment of Roxas, is aiming to have a “control” over DILG, considering its “strategic” value for the upcoming 2013 and 2016 elections.

“The partisan political motivation of Roxas’ appointment is too obvious to ignore. It also says a lot about the appointing power, President Benigno Aquino III,” Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. said, adding that the step is intended to give LP an “undue advantage” in the upcoming polls.

“The appointment of Roxas is the ultimate ‘trapo’ maneuver courtesy of Mr. Aquino. How sad and ironic that after the President praised Robredo for being anti-trapo, now comes this appointment which has all the trademarks of traditional politics,” Reyes added.

Originally posted: 3:02 pm | Friday, August 31st, 2012