Duterte disappointed by CA rejection of Taguiwalo

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in an interview with the Malacañang Press Corps (MPC) at the Malago Clubhouse, Malacañang Park in Manila on August 21, 2017, announces that he is searching for a competent secretary who will replace former Social Welfare and Development Secretary Judy Taguiwalo. He added that he is looking for an official who has a genuine empathy for the poor and marginalized and is committed to addressing their plights. ROBINSON NIÑAL JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday expressed disappointment over the rejection of Judy Taguiwalo as secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) by the Commission on Appointments.

But he said he could not do anything about it.

“That is the job of Congress as part of the checks and balances of government,” he said in a press condference in Malacañang. “Wala tayong magawa kung i-reject.”

The President described Taguiwalo, who is among the left-leaning Cabinet members under his administration, as “bright.”

“Sayang, she was really bright,” he said.

Asked if he had already chosen a replacement for Taguiwalo, Duterte said in jest that he had already offered the post to ABS-CBN reporter Doris Bigornia.

“I just offered it to Doris Bigornia. Ayaw niya,” he said.

He did not mention, however, if he already had someone in mind to replace Taguiwalo.

But he said would want someone who would avoid “corruption” and “work sincerely” for the DSWD.

On Saturday, Malacañang announced the appointment of Emmanuel Leyco as the officer-in-charge of the DSWD.

Leyco, who is an economics professor at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM), is currently the undersecretary for finance and administration of the DSWD. /atm