Dominguez nominates ex-DOF chief

MANILA, Philippines — Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez is pushing for the appointment of former finance chief Margarito Teves as the new chairman of the Social Security Commission (SSC).

In an interview, Dominguez said he has recommended Teves to President Duterte as a replacement to former SSC chairman Amado Valdez.

“I said Gary is a good guy to consider. He was a congressman. He performed quite well as the president of Land Bank of the Philippines and secretary of finance,” Dominguez said.

 “You have to remember Gary was the secretary of finance when the world was crumbling. This guy, together with Gloria, held his own,” he said.

Dominguez said the Department of Finance has also recommended someone to assume the post left by former SSC commissioner Jose Gabriel La Viña but declined to name the person.

To recall, Duterte decided not to renew the terms of Valdez and La Viña last February. Since their terms expired last year, both officials were serving on a holdover capacity.

Teves assumed his post as the finance secretary in 2005. Prior to that, he was the president and chief executive officer of the Landbank since September 2000.

He also served as the congressional representative for the third district of Negros Oriental from 1987 to 1998.

As a lawmaker, he authored legislations on banking and financial reforms, capital market reforms, tax reforms, enhancing foreign investments and industrial competitiveness, enhancing agricultural competitiveness, and promoting employment opportunities and human resource development.