Duterte and his running mate Cayetano during their proclamation rally in Tondo, Manila. Bernardo Betuigas, file
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has hinted that he might not appoint ally and staunch defender Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano to the Cabinet after the ban on the appointment of losing candidates ends.
Asked in a press conference Monday if he would designate Cayetano as Foreign Affairs secretary, Duterte replied: “We have not discussed it yet.”
“But, you know, Senator Cayetano is a very brilliant man. He would be needed by the Senate. Huwag ninyong walain ‘yan. Dito, puwede naman acting, acting eh (Do not remove him there. An acting secretary will do),” he added.
In an interview last December, Duterte said he would appoint Cayetano as Foreign Affairs secretary as Perfecto Yasay Jr. would be returning to the US to resume his stint as professor of international trade.
Cayetano was Duterte’s vice-presidential candidate in the 2016 polls. He ranked third behind then Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo and former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. with 5.9 million votes.
Under the law, a losing candidate may not be appointed to any government post for one year after the elections.
Yasay lost his post last week after his appointment was rejected by the Commission on Appointments over misleading statements about his citizenship.
Yasay denied being an American citizen and owning a US passport in a CA hearing last February. But it was learned later on that he acquired American citizenship in 1986 and renounced it at the US Embassy in Manila last year.
The former Foreign Affairs chief admitted he was issued a US passport in 1986 but claimed that he lost it. He said in a TV interview, however, that he had returned it to the US government.
A career official, Undersecretary Enrique Manalo, was named acting Foreign Affairs secretary.
Duterte said Yasay went to the US after President Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law.
“It was not his (Yasay) fault, actually. It was not his fault because that time, he could not travel,” the president said.
“But ang problema itinago niya. Ilabas mo. Ano bang masama niyan na he was seeking sanctuary there (The problem is he hid it. He should have disclosed it. What’s wrong with seeking sanctuary there)?” he added.
Source : http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/03/14/1681042/duterte-senate-will-need-brilliant-cayetano