Candidates for next NLRC chief bared

A list of five possible replacements for resigned National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) chairman Roy Señeres has been submitted to President Arroyo.

Señeres resigned last week from his post after calling on the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to support a change in government.

Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas said NLRC second division chief Raul Aquino was designated as officer-in-charge of the commission until the President makes a permanent appointment.

Among those recommended as Señeres’ replacement are human rights lawyer Arno Sanidad, former peace negotiator and current president of the Energy Development Corp. Silvestre Bello III, former congressman Alvin Dans, and Labor Undersecretaries Ernesto Bitonio and Danny Cruz.

Sto. Tomas said the candidates were endorsed by various labor and business groups.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the President has not yet made a decision as to who will replace Señeres, who was accused by Malacañang of joining efforts to destabilize the Arroyo administration.

"(Señeres) has shown his true colors," Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said last week.

Ermita said Aquino was designated as officer-in-charge of the NLRC because he is the most senior NLRC official. He said that while another senior NLRC official, Lourdes Javier, could have been assigned to the post, Javier is out of the country and will not be back until the middle of June.

"(Aquino) was appointed so that there will be no hiatus in the NLRC," Ermita said.

While Señeres’ resignation takes effect on June 30, the resigned NLRC chief chose to take a terminal leave starting today.

Sto. Tomas said that, under the law, if the NLRC post becomes vacant, the head of the agency’s second of five divisions may be designated officer-in-charge.

The term of the NLRC chief lasts until his or her retirement, she said.