Palace: No replacement yet for Taguiwalo

Former Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo. LYN RILLON

No replacement has been named so far for former Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo after her rejection by the Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday, according to presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella.

Taguiwalo was the third Cabinet member rejected by the CA.

Abella said President Duterte had supported her despite their different views, but he has to respect the CA’s decision.

“We wish Secretary Taguiwalo all the best in her future endeavors. She knows she will always have the President’s gratitude and friendship for the time, albeit brief, that they spent together in the service of our people,” Abella said.

Mr. Duterte had given her his full trust and support “even when she sided with leftist groups opposing the President’s positions,” he said.

The social activist-educator would remain the President’s friend, Abella said.

Abella also said it did not seem likely that Vice President Leni Robredo would replace Taguiwalo as suggested by some netizens, as “there might be conditionalities that may not be too favorable regarding that.”

Abella was also asked about the results of poll that Assistant Communications Secretary Mocha Uson conducted on her personal Twitter account on who should replace Taguiwalo.

As of Friday afternoon, Leni had 82 percent of the vote. The other options were “others,” Assistant Social Welfare Secretary Lorraine Badoy, and Prieto-Teodoro, presumably referring to former lawmaker Monica Prieto-Teodoro.

But Abella said Mr. Duterte has a different set of categories when it comes to deciding on Taguiwalo’s replacement.

“I’m sure the President has other ways of measuring a candidate’s capability aside from surveys,” he said.

As for Robredo, he said there were conditions that work against the idea of naming her to the post.

He noted that Robredo had resigned from her Cabinet position as housing chief.

“I’m not saying no for Leni. I’m just saying that it seems to be a difficult choice,” he said.

Robredo, a top official of the Liberal Party, resigned from the Cabinet after she was told to stop attending meetings.