NDFP nominees to Duterte Cabinet deny ties with revolutionary movement
DAVAO CITY — The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) said just because they were included on the list of nominees for the Duterte Cabinet does not mean that they are members of the revolutionary movement.
“The nominees submitted by the NDFP are not necessarily members of the revolutionary movement (CPP, NPA or NDF) but individuals who are known to be pro-poor and pro-people in their stand and viewpoint, experts in the field where they were nominated in, and of proven integrity,” NDFP peace panel spokesperson Fidel Agcaoili told the Inquirer on Friday morning.
Reports mentioned that Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Zarate was nominated as Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, former Anakpawis Representative Rafael “Ka Paeng” Mariano as Secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform, University of the Philippines professor and development worker Judy Taguiwalo as Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and Silvestre Bello as Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment.
READ: Reds name 2 ex-solons, ex-UP prof for Cabinet
Incoming President Rodrigo Duterte has offered these positions to the Left.
READ: Duterte: 4 Cabinet posts open to Reds
“This clarification is being issued to set the record straight and avoid misunderstanding,” Agcaoili said.
The military and anti-communist organizations have relentlessly tagged progressive leaders, activists and caused-oriented groups as legal fronts of the CPP, which they consistently denied.
Agcaoili said that Bello was not nominated by the NDFP and was personally selected by Duterte.
“Bebot Bello was not nominated by the NDFP; that he was appointed by President-elect Duterte even before we submitted our list; and that we raised no objections considering that Bebot is a known patriot and has a track record of holding progressive views and positions,” Agcaoili said.
Bello was also selected by Duterte to become the chief negotiator of the government with the NDFP.
