PCGG exec: Lakas behind my appointment

Newly appointed Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) Commissioner Narciso Nario admitted yesterday that his appointment was the handiwork of the administration Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats party.

in his first media interview, Nario said he worked as legal counsel of Lakas and had sought for years a position in government.

"I was active in the party. I was designated as legal counsel of the Lakas in the House of Representatives, handled cases before the Comelec (Commission on Elections) in behalf of the party during the elections in 2004. I worked on several cases involving mayors. Even during the senatorial canvassing at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), I was there as legal counsel of Lakas. This (appointment) is a product of so many endorsements, so many letters," he said.

"Probably in the mind of the President, I could help the government considering my experience. We hold office at the pleasure of the President," he added.

Nario said PCGG Chairman Camilo Sabio called him up before Christmas to inform him of his appointment. Earlier, however, he said he had already been informed of the good news by a "friend" at the Presidential Management Staff (PMS). He refused to identify the official though.

Nario related that after he worked as justice of the Sandiganbayan, handling PCGG cases from 1997 to 2002, he first sought the help of Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., a Lakas stalwart. He said he wrote De Venecia asking for an endorsement to "any position in the government that fits my qualifications."

In the years he had been seeking a government position, Nario said he also asked for endorsements from other people, including former President Fidel Ramos.

He was first recommended for a position at the Comelec but the vacant post was given to controversial former commissioner Virgilio Garcillano instead.

"I went to Congress more often as legal counsel. When I retired in 2002, I went to see him (Fidel Ramos). He made a nice note to my application (as Comelec commissioner). (But) the position was given to ‘Hello’ (referring to Garcillano). I asked President Ramos to do something for me," he said.

Eventually, he said the letter he sent to De Venecia was endorsed to the PMS, which was later endorsed to Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita.

Nario’s appointment paper was signed Dec. 1, 2005 and he took his oath before Sabio at the PCGG office in Mandaluyong City last Dec. 29. Nario replaced PCGG Commissioner Alvin Dans, who resigned due to personal reasons.

Nario was born in Nueva Ecija and has held positions in the government for several years as justice in the Sandiganbayan, assemblyman in the old Batasan Pambansa, governor of Nueva Ecija, chief legal staff at the governor’s office, provincial attorney, provincial board member, and legislative secretary of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office at the Office of the President in Malacañang. — Sandy Araneta