BY JOCELYN MONTEMAYOR and WENDELL VIGILIA
PRESUMPTIVE president Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. yesterday said he has nominated re-elected Cavite Rep. Crispin “Boying” Remulla and former Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan to join his Cabinet as head of Department of Justice and director general of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), respectively.
Both have agreed to join Marcos Jr’s Cabinet, like former labor secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, earlier offered the labor portfolio, and Susan Ople, as head of the Department of Migrant Workers.
Balisacan, in a statement accepting the offer, said: “In returning to a post I have previously held, we rely on experience and judicious reckoning of socioeconomic issues to build stronger foundations for a more robust, more inclusive, and more resilient Philippine economy.”
“I look forward to working with the economic team and the private sector to bring back the country to its pre-pandemic high-growth,” he added.
Remulla told reporters, “I accepted it. It’s an honor to serve the country in that capacity,” he told reporters. “I really work hard, I am devoted to my duties. Kaya (so), it doesn’t take much naman (really) when you’re told by the president. It’s understood already.”
Remulla, a lawyer, became controversial during the campaign period after he blatantly accused some supporters of opposition presidential candidate Vice President Leni Robredo of being communists, an allegation that was denounced by her camp.
Marcos, in a briefing, said he asked his “old friend” Remulla to join his Cabinet because he has been in public service for many years and has “great experience,” and “he is actually a very, very good lawyer and he will fit nicely in the DOJ.”
On Balisacan, Marcos said he asked him to rejoin NEDA as they share the same working approach and policies, apart from having the chance to work with him intensively when he was governor of Ilocos Norte.
He said Balisacan can contribute to the improvement of employment sector and economic development.
On Ople, Marcos said he has instructed her to start preparing for the establishment of the Department of Migrant Workers “so we can immediately start work as soon as the term of the next administration begins.”
Marcos asked the public to give him time to fill his Cabinet. He said all announcements were supposed to be made after his proclamation but many people are already asking and he wants to make sure that all his nominees are prepared.
Earlier given posts were Marcos’ running mate, presumptive vice president Sara Duterte-Carpio (secretary of the Department of Education), Benhur Abalos Jr. (secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government, and Marcos spokesman Vic Rodriguez as executive secretary.
Marcos said while he has yet to be proclaimed, many countries have recognized him and his coming administration as proven by messages of congratulations and calls to him by world leaders and courtesy calls of several diplomats.
Marcos yesterday received Japanese Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa, South Korean Ambassador Kim Inchul, Indian Ambassador Shambhu S. Kumaran, and United States Chargé d’Affaires Heather Variava, who all reaffirmed their countries’ commitment to strengthening ties in trade and diplomacy, and common interests in democracy, self-determination, and economic recovery with the Philippines.
He said there were talks about expanding cooperation in several areas such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals and microfinancing with India; infrastructure development and employment with Japan; information technology and the possible revival of the Bataan nuclear power plant with South Korea; the Indo-Pacific economic strategy, climate change and related financial assistance from the US.
He said the diplomats also promised their countries’ willingness to provide assistance to hasten the country’s recovery from the ill-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said he reminded them that recovering from the pandemic cannot be done by one country, no matter how rich it is, but by partnership.
Marcos also said his camp has assured Congress he is ready for the proclamation of winners for president and vice president, but his camp is still looking for a venue for his inauguration because Quirino Grandstand in Manila, which is the traditional inauguration site, is not available because it used being used for COVID response efforts.
Remulla, who represents the seventh district of vote-rich Cavite, said that while he did not apply for the job, he is a close friend of the presumptive president who was his colleague in the Lower House from 2007 to 2010 under the Arroyo administration.
“I did not apply for it. And parang (it was like) he was hinting to me already. Kahit na wala pa ‘yung boto (even before he got the votes), that he wanted me there, more,” he said.
Remulla said he would have conversations with Marcos Jr. when they were House colleagues and they eventually became buddies.
“I had, I think, two chances to travel with him. Two to three chances to travel with him,” he said.
He also said the next House leadership will have to appoint a caretaker representative for his district or a special elections will be called so that his constituents can choose his replacement.
Many thought the justice portfolio would go to outgoing SAGIP party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta who ran for senator under Marcos Jr.’s “UniTeam” ticket only to withdraw just before election day.
Commissioner George Garcia of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it is the House’s call on whether to appoint a caretaker solon or declare a vacancy and call for a special elections.
“We will wait for Congress (House). If Congress will say we will fill up the position so conduct a special election, we will conduct the special election,” Garcia said.
“However, usually, the Congress just appoints a caretaker so that the concerns of the district will be taken care of,” he added. — With Gerard Naval
