Aquino names new GSIS head, but not other execs
Malacañang on Saturday announced new appointments to various government posts by President Aquino, even as a new housing czar, among other officials, have yet to be named.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Aquino appointed seasoned banker Renato de Guzman as head of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and a member of its board of trustees.
De Guzman, 65, will serve the unexpired term of Daniel Lacson who resigned citing health reasons.
De Guzman is currently a senior adviser at the Bank of Singapore. He is a former CEO of the bank as well as of ING Asia Private Bank.
Also appointed by the President were Juan Miguel Cuna as assistant secretary at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources; Dara Acusar as acting undersecretary at the Department of Budget and Management; Roberto Eugenio Cadiz, commissioner at the Commission on Human Rights with a term expiring on May 5, 2022; Tahir Sinsuat Lidasan Jr., executive director of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos; and Amadeo Jose Forteza III, deputy director at the Bureau of Corrections.
The President has yet to name a new housing czar, adviser on overseas Filipino workers’ concerns, military chief of staff and national police chief.
Binay exit
Vice President Jejomar Binay’s departure from the Cabinet recently left the posts of chair of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and presidential adviser on OFW affairs vacant.
Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. is set to retire on July 10, while Philippine National Police officer in charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina is retiring on July 19.
Valte said that Binay’s post at HUDCC should be filled.
HUDCC is a government agency under the Office of the President.
Added value
On the other hand, Valte said, the work of the presidential adviser on OFW affairs was “normally” done by the Department of Labor and Employment, Philippine Overseas Employment Agency, Department of Foreign Affairs and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.
“Perhaps it is really just added value to have someone there (as presidential adviser for OFW affairs) but our agencies do most of the work for the OFWs when it comes to their affairs and concerns,” Valte said.
Binay resigned from the Cabinet two weeks ago to openly head the opposition to the administration. He said he had had enough of the unending allegations of corruption hurled against him.
