Guingona named ‘Mindanao czar’

A day after he revived a grouping that was active in EDSA 1 and 2, Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr. was named by President Arroyo as "Mindanao czar" to spearhead the implementation of socio-economic plans and programs of the government in the impoverished island.

Observers saw the President’s move as an appeasement of Guingona, an outspoken critic of the controversial Mutual Logistics Support Agreement between Manila and Washington that was signed recently.

The other day, Bandila, a group active during the EDSA 1 and 2 uprisings, was also revived and named Bagong Bandila, again with Guingona as its head.

Guingona’s new appointment was contained in Administrative Order 45 signed by the Chief Executive last Nov. 25, but was made public only yesterday during a press briefing at Malacañang.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye clarified, however, that there was no underlying motive for the designation of Guingona as Mindanao czar with a Cabinet rank.

"This is not very sudden as you very well know. The idea has been broached very much earlier. It is only now probably that there has been an agreement, so this announcement was made," Bunye told reporters.

He said Guingona has accepted his new assignment.

"He is billed as Mindanao czar, so I guess this makes it official. I would suppose this is a Cabinet rank," Bunye added.

As Mindanao czar, the Vice President is tasked to "oversee, supervise and implement a number of government programs in the South."

Among these programs are the Overseas Filipino Investment Bond, the Housing Program for Overseas Filipino Workers and Others launched last July 2, as well as the establishment of an integrated steel plant in Mindanao, setting up of a Seafarer’s Welfare Program and other socio-economic programs for the region.

"The OVP (Office of the Vice President) shall be the representative of the government in the oversight and supervision of such programs until their completion," AO 45 stated.

The order provided that initial funding for Guingona’s new role would be taken from available resources as identified by the budget department.

The President directed all affected government officials and agencies to assist the Vice President in the effective discharge of his new functions. — Marichu Villanueva