Roxas, Abaya perfect choices - Lacson

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Panfilo Lacson said yesterday that the appointments of incoming Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II and Cavite Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya at the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) are the perfect choices to ensure continuity of the administration’s “tuwid na daan” (straight path) advocacy. 

Roxas, outgoing DOTC secretary, will replace the late DILG secretary Jesse Robredo, who died in a plane crash last Aug. 18 in Masbate, while Abaya will be appointed to Roxas’ old post.

Lacson congratulated Roxas last Thursday evening during their telephone conversation and assured him of support.

“Early last night, I had a missed call from Sec. Mar Roxas which I immediately returned. I congratulated him and assured him of support in my humble capacity as a senator of the republic,” Lacson said in a text message.

He said Roxas and Abaya could steer President Aquino’s campaign for good governance, which many believed Robredo had been doing during his tenure at the DILG.

“The choices for the DILG and DOTC posts cannot be any more perfect. Sec. Mar and Cong. Abaya are two very competent and honest individuals who, without doubt, can steer their departments along the straight path that President Aquino has been carefully treading during the past two years of his presidency,” Lacson said.

Leaders of the House of Representatives also welcomed the appointment of Roxas, which they said could be his final stepping stone to the presidency in 2016.

Lawmakers also lauded the appointment of Abaya to succeed Roxas at DOTC.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said Roxas has what it takes to efficiently and effectively run the DILG.

“Jun’s (Abaya) methodical though low profile style will be good. He’s also an engineer. Mar has already been dealing with the local government unit officials before. He will do well,” Belmonte said.

Deputy Speaker Lorenzo Tañada III said much is expected from Roxas and Abaya “but I am certain both are more than capable in meeting our peoples’ expectations.” 

House Majority Leader and Mandaluyong City Rep. Neptali Gonzales II said both Roxas and Abaya have “the character, integrity and administrative capability to handle their respective jobs.”

He said Roxas is one of the most trusted allies of the President and “can be his effective bridge to local officials.”

“Their integrity, dedication and unswerving commitment to public service and capabilities are beyond question,” Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone, chairman of the House committee on public information, said.

Ang Kasangga party-list Rep. Teodorico Haresco, vice chairman of the House committee on small business and entrepreneurship development, said both officials “have the moral compass and managerial expertise” that would “greatly help in delivering services to the people.”

While welcoming the appointments, lawmakers from the Liberal Party (LP) said the increased presence of the party in the executive branch, particularly in the DILG – which has supervision over local officials and the Philippine National Police – would be a major boost for its chances in the 2016 presidential elections.

Roxas was supposed to run for president in 2010 but gave way to Aquino and ran for vice president but lost to Jejomar Binay. He is reportedly aiming for a run at the presidency in 2016.

“It (DILG) has a big influence over LGU (local government unit) leaders. The DILG is the arm of the government to reach out and mobilize the LGUs,” Evardone, a former governor and official of the League of Provinces of the Philippines, said.

When asked whether Roxas’ appointment could be connected to LP’s plans for 2016, Belmonte said yes.

“But that means he (Roxas) has to perform way above passing. I think he can do it,” the Speaker said.

Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat, LP deputy spokesman, and Gonzales expressed doubts that politics was the primary consideration in Roxas’ appointment but admitted that he would definitely be a front-runner in the 2016 presidential elections if he performs well.

“Needless to say, if our party pushed Secretary Mar to run and continue Aquino’s legacy in the presidential elections, a successful stint in DILG will definitely make him the front-runner,” Baguilat said.

He said Roxas has even what the late Secretary Robredo did not have – “the unquestionable confidence and ear of Malacañang.”

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said the appointment of Roxas “only shows the depth of the President’s trust and confidence in Sec. Roxas.”

Enrile said Roxas is once again given an even greater and more formidable challenge, which is how to keep up with the people’s highest expectations since the public is well aware of the extolled virtues and achievements of Robredo.

“Anybody at this point would surely suffer the burden of the inevitable comparison. To follow in Jesse’s footsteps is certainly not an easy task, and to say that Mar has ‘big shoes to fill’ would be an understatement,” Enrile said.

“I believe that Secretary Roxas is well prepared for and can step up to this Herculean task,” he said.

LP partymates Senators Franklin Drilon, Francis Pangilinan, and Teofisto Guingona III were all praises for the President’s choices. 

“There couldn’t have been a worthier replacement (for) Jesse Robredo,” said Guingona, who noted that Roxas espouses similar virtues and principles. 

Roxas’ proven track record in public service and leadership make him competent for his new post, Guingona added.

Drilon said Roxas has the full trust of the President, with whom he shares the same vision. These two matters are “crucial in putting forward the reforms that the administration has envisioned for the local government and which the late Secretary Jesse Robredo had started,” Drilon added.

Pangilinan said “continuity of policy is crucial as the administration pushes for necessary and urgent reforms, and we know that these two fine public servants will take to the task, as they have always done so in their previous roles.” Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. said.

Roxas and Abaya are both committed and competent to implement the programs to boost the administration’s platform for the people. 

San Juan Rep. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito said President Aquino is obviously preparing LP for the coming elections in 2013 and 2016.

“This is not to undermine the capability of Sec. Mar Roxas and Rep. Emilio Abaya, but I think their appointments are obviously for the strengthening of the Liberal Party’s position in the coming 2013 and 2016 elections,” he said. – With Jess Diaz, Paolo Romero, Roel Pareño