Pichay takes LWUA post, Manalili gets POEA

MANILA, Philippines – Former lawmaker Prospero Pichay has finally accepted the post of board member of the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), Malacañang said yesterday.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said that Pichay will most likely become the chairman of the board of the LWUA.

The LWUA currently has five board members, with the administrator serving as the vice chairman and ex-officio member.

After the end of his term as a member of Congress, Pichay ran for the Senate under the administration’s Team Unity coalition but lost.

Ermita also announced yesterday the appointment of Rosalinda Baldoz as undersecretary of the Department of Labor and Employment.

Prior to her appointment, Baldoz was administrator of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), an agency under DOLE.

Taking the place of Baldoz at the POEA is lawyer Jennifer Jardin Manalili, wife of Philippine Broadcasting Service director John Manalili.

Ermita also announced the appointment of government prosecutors Peter Baliao of Iloilo City and William Bacoling of Benguet.

Meanwhile, POEA employees welcomed yesterday the appointment of their new chief Manalili.

POEA sources said Mrs. Arroyo had named Manalili to the POEA as early as May, but that she could not assume office because there was no available position for Baldoz.

Mrs. Arroyo opted to replace Baldoz due to the prodding of retired Supreme Court chief justice Arturo Panganiban, who recommended Manalili.

Meanwhile, the top post at the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) remained vacant. Labor Secretary Marianito left the post more than a month after he was officially assigned to the Cabinet.

However, DOLE sources said Mrs. Arroyo is considering the appointment of POEA deputy administrator Carmelito Dimzon to the OWWA.  – Marvin Sy, Mayen Jaymalin