Palace awaits Peñaflorida’s response to PCUP job offer

EFREN Peñaflorida Jr., founder of the Dynamic Teen Company, speaks during the youth group’s Pangarap ng Pasko Christmas party in Cavite City recently. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

A Palace official clarified on Saturday that the appointment of CNN hero Efren Peñaflorida as the next commissioner to be assigned at the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) is not yet final as he has yet to respond to President Rodrigo Duterte’s offer.

“Nothing is certain at this point. Everything has to go through a process. The other party has yet to give a response. Both parties also need to personally discuss and thresh out expectations to the job and/or position,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.

“Presidential appointments, as we know, fall under the exclusive prerogative of the President,” he added.

READ: Duterte to appoint ‘kariton hero’ Efren Peñaflorida to urban poor commission

In a speech in Davao City on Friday, Duterte announced he would appoint Peñaflorida to the PCUP to replace sacked chair Terry Ridon.

The President said he had ordered Special Assistant to the President Sec. Christopher “Bong” Go to locate Peñaflorida for his appointment.

Peñaflorida became known for his efforts to educate Manila’s street children through his “kariton classroom.” His endeavor earned him the CNN Hero of the Year award in 2009.

Duterte last week fired Ridon for his supposed junkets abroad and for not holding meetings as a collegial body. All other PCUP commissioners were also sacked. /jpv