Ramon Revilla named PEA chairman

President Arroyo has appointed former senator Ramon Revilla Sr. as board chairman of the Public Estates Authority (PEA).

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye confirmed last night the appointment of Revilla, two weeks after talks about the former senator’s appointment to a government post became the topic of discussions in the Senate.

Bunye, however, told The STAR that Mrs. Arroyo has retained Teodorico Taguinod as PEA general manager and chief executive officer.

Taguinod was appointed as PEA general manager and CEO on Jan. 17, 2003 by Mrs. Arroyo.

Bunye said Revilla will be sworn in next week by President Arroyo at Malacañang.

Revilla will be the chairman of the PEA board of directors in the present setup under the Department of Finance (DOF).

The PEA was earlier under the jurisdiction of the Office of the President (OP) but was later transferred to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) following the controversy generated by the alleged overpricing of the construction of President Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard in Parañaque City.

Mrs. Arroyo had issued an executive order transferring PEA to the Department of Finance last year. She announced her plans to abolish the agency altogether after it was involved in many scams and controversies.

But her plans cannot push through since Congress has the power to abolish the PEA, which has its own charter created by law. — Marichu Villanueva