Duterte campaign execs form transition team

Front-running presidential candidate Mayor Rodrigo Duterte gestures during a news conference shortly after voting in a polling precinct at Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School, Matina, Davao City on May 9. AP

The camp of presidential front-runner Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday revealed the members of his transition committee.

Spokesperson Peter Laviña said the committee would be composed of Duterte’s campaign officers manager Leoncio Evasco, assistant manager and executive assistant Christopher “Bong” Go, finance head Carlos “Sonny” Dominguez and lawyers Salvador Medialdea and Loreto Ata.

Laviña said he would also be a part of the team.

Duterte said the group would coordinate with the team of President Benigno Aquino III for a smooth government transition.

Malacañang said the President had already spoken to Duterte’s aide.

“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.

Meanwhile, Go said Aquino called on Tuesday afternoon to extend his greetings to Duterte.

“He just congratulated (Duterte) … He extended his greetings to Mayor Duterte and asked how he was doing,” Go said.

Laviña said that Duterte was taking a break when Aquino called Go on Tuesday afternoon.

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

Go added the mayor would be unwinding for the meantime.