Duterte enumerates choices for agency heads, PNP

Front-running presidential candidate Mayor Rodrigo Duterte smiles during a news conference shortly after voting in a polling precinct at Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School, Matina district, his hometown in Davao city, southern Philippines Monday, May 9, 2016. Duterte was the last to vote among five presidential hopefuls. AP

Presumptive President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday gave the names of some of the people he would like to have in his Cabinet.

Some were already mentioned by Duterte’s spokespersons.

During a press conference in Davao City, the mayor said he hopes former Agriculture Secretary Carlos “Sonny” Dominguez III would reconsider his offer to make him finance secretary.

“Sonny Dominguez has many misgivings in the past on my offer. I hope he would consider,” he said.

“Art Tugade will get the DOTC (Department of Transportation and Communications),” he added, referring to the former president of the Clark Development Corp.

At one point, Duterte called on Senator Alan Cayetano to join him in front. He called Cayetano his ”vice president,” although Cayetano has lost in the electoral race.

However, Duterte said he is offering the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Justice to Cayetano.

“I don’t know what his preference is,” Duterte said in Filipino. He said he would respect Cayetano’s decision if he decides to remain as senator.

He said he can also appoint an acting secretary while Cayetano waits for the one-year ban on appointment for losing election candidates.

“If ayaw nya, andito si Perfecto Yasay (If he doesn’t want it, Perfecto Yasay can take his place),” he said. Yasay is a lawyer and former chairman of the Philippines’ Securities and Exchange Commission. Duterte said they were roommates in law school.

However, he said Yasay mentioned that he has a teaching commitment in the US.

As for the Department of Agrarian Reform and the Department of Labor and Employment, Duterte said he would offer it to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

“They are the most vigilant group in the Philippines about labor,” he said.

“I offer my hand in peace to (Jose Maria) Sison and to the rest and we can talk,” he said, adding that CPP members may serve in government if they are qualified for the post.

He mentioned three names for the top post in the Philippine National Police: Chief Insp. Ramon Apolinario, Chief Insp. Ronald dela Rosa and Sr. Supt. Rene Aspera.

Duterte said the three served as police chiefs of Davao City. RAM/rga

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