Aquino talks to Duterte camp, assigns Ochoa as transition team head

President Benigno Aquino III has spoken with the camp of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to coordinate the transition of government after the May 9 national elections, Malcañang revealed Wednesday.

“I talked to Mr. Bong Go yesterday to relay to Mayor Duterte that an Administrative Order (AO) is being drafted designating the Executive Secretary as head of the transition team,” Aquino was quoted as saying, referring to Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr.

“I further offered that the Cabinet stands ready to brief his team on any and all of their concerns.”

“Lastly we are committed to effecting the smoothest transition possible,” Aquino further said in the statement forwarded by Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr.

READ: Palace ready, willing to work with Duterte

Meanwhile, Christopher “Bong” Go, Duterte’s executive assistant, said Aquino called on Tuesday afternoon to extend his greetings to Duterte.

“Bumati lang po siya…Pinaparating lang niya yung pagbati para kay Mayor Duterte at nangumusta lang siya,” Go said.

(He just congratulated [Duterte]… He extended his greetings to Mayor Duterte and asked how he was doing.)

Go said members of Duterte’s campaign team would meet on Wednesday to discuss the transition government. The meeting will be headed by Leoncio “Jun” Evasco Jr., Duterte’s national campaign manager.

READ: Palace: We accept the people’s verdict

Peter Tiu Laviña, Duterte’s spokesman, said that Duterte was resting when Aquino called Go on Tuesday afternoon.

“The mayor was resting. Bong was in a meeting when the President called at about 5 pm (Tuesday). They were not together,” Laviña told INQUIRER.net.

As to his itinerary for the week, Go said the mayor would take a rest for the meantime. RAM