'Being LP member does not guarantee post in government'

Manila, Philippines - Being a Liberal Party member does not guarantee that one would get a post in the Aquino administration.

“Being an ally is a good factor but that is not the only factor. Are there suitable positions for the respective talent?” President Aquino said yesterday, reiterating that nominees will have to undergo a screening process.

“Will we have to create certain positions to fill which should have been filled in the same month or so of our governance? We will review that and that will redound to the benefit of the people,” he added.

The President was asked to comment on the list of 30 LP members who can be appointed to various government posts, which Cavite Rep. Emilio Joseph Abaya submitted to him during the party’s Fellowship Night Tuesday.

The qualifications of the nominees “will be the only factor that will determine who gets that post,” he stressed.

Aquino meanwhile said he is still working on the administrative order that will designate former senator Manuel Roxas II as presidential chief of staff.

“We are defining, so that there is no overlap between the Chief of Staff, the Executive Secretary (Paquito Ochoa Jr.) and the head of the Presidential Management Staff (Julia Abad). We’re trying to really delegate the functions,” he said.

When asked if he would be appointing acting Environment Secretary Ramon Paje in a permanent capacity, the President said he is giving himself until the end of this week to settle the issue and he still has to consult with some people.

Former Bukidnon Rep. Neric Acosta, an LP stalwart who lost in the May 2010 senatorial polls, has indicated he is ready to assume the post of Paje, who until now is an acting secretary.

Other LP members said to be eyeing government posts are former Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon – either the Department of National Defense or Department of Tourism – and former Akabyan Rep. Risa Hontiveros, possibly the National Anti-Poverty Commission.