Aquino gives partymate Acosta another post

MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino has found yet another assignment for his party-mate, Nereus Acosta, whom he has already appointed as his adviser on environmental protection. Acosta is now a member of the board of the Laguna Lake Development Authority in an “acting” capacity.

Malacañang  announced Acosta’s appointment on Friday, more than two weeks after the resignation of LLDA general manager Rodrigo Cabrera, who was earlier accused of extortion. Acosta took his oath as presidential adviser only nine days ago.

“GM Rodrigo Cabrera of the Laguna Lake Development Authority has resigned and he will be replaced,” Abigal Valte, deputy presidential spokesperson, told reporters.

Valte made it clear that Acosta was not necessarily replacing Cabrera, noting that general managers of the LLDA were elected by the board. But she admitted that it was possible for the present board to pick him as Cabrera’s successor.

Valte said Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. accepted Cabrera’s resignation last August 17. She said she was not aware of the reason Cabrera quit.

Last June, Cabrera took a 60-day leave of absence in the wake of an allegation that he and two other LLDA officials had demanded P300,000 from a certain Charlie Tan.

The complainant alleged that Cabrera and company wanted the money in exchange for his request to have his fishpens moved from Rizal to Laguna.