Will Año still get DILG post? Duterte looking for ‘alternative solution’  

Gen. Eduardo Año, AFP chief of staff (Photo by Joseph Vidal)

President Rodrigo Duterte is ready to find an “alternative solution” as retiring Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Eduardo Año is barred by the law to serve as Interior secretary a year after his retirement.

Duterte earlier named Año as the next secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) after former secretary Ismael Sueno was sacked over corruption allegations.

Año is set to retire on October 26 and was set to assume the post as the next DILG chief last June but was delayed due to the Marawi crisis.

But according to Republic Act 6975 or the Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990, “no retired or resigned military officer or police official may be appointed as Secretary within one year from the date of his retirement or resignation.”

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella on Tuesday said Duterte has been “made aware of the provision.”

“I’m sure he has an alternative solution regarding the matter or he will be able to in order to be able to address the matter,” Abella said in a Palace briefing.