Ex-AFP man who drew controversy over ‘Yolanda’ death figures gets Cabinet post

The appointment paper of Major Gen. Eduardo del Rosario, as head of the Housing and Urban Development and Coordinating Council.

A former military man and a lawyer of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo were among the newest appointees of President Rodrigo Duterte to his Cabinet.

Duterte named former Major Gen. Eduardo del Rosario as chair of the Housing and Urban Development and Coordinating Council (HUDCC).

Del Rosario was a former National Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) executive director under the administration of former president Benigno Aquino III.

The NDRRMC, under del Rosario’s watch, was accused of underreporting the death toll from  Supertyphoon “Yolanda.” Three months after the deadly typhoon in November 2013, his agency said that 6,166 died in the disaster. The public in general, which was expecting a higher number following a statement by a local police chief that the death toll could reach 10,000, did not believe the NDRRMC’s figures. He threatened to resign if proven that the agency downplayed the number of the fatalities.

Del Rosario succeeded acting HUDCC chair and Cabinet Secretary Leoncio “Jun” Evasco who held the position after Vice President Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo resigned from the Cabinet. His appointment papers was signed on July 12.

Aside from del Rosario, Duterte also appointed lawyer Raul Lambino as Chief Executive Officer of the Cagayan Economic Zone (Ceza).

Lambino was a former spokesman and lawyer of Arroyo.

His appointment papers were signed on July 5.