Lomibao named NIA chairman

President Arroyo named yesterday retired Philippine National Police chief Arturo Lomibao as head of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Lomibao’s appointment shows that retired police and military generals are "properly equipped" in terms of governance.

"(Lomibao’s) talents as being chief of the PNP should be harnessed," he said. "Not to mention that he had the confidence of the appointing authority, the President."

Speaking to reporters yesterday, Ermita denied the militarization of the government following Lomibao’s appointment to a position in the administration.

"Let’s put it this way," he said. "The President is the appointing authority. The President feels that a person like General Lomibao with very extensive management and executive skill can be utilized (in the administration)."

Ermita said Mrs. Arroyo’s trust in retired PNP police chiefs is shown in her appointment of Hermogenes Ebdane as public works secretary, and Leandro Mendoza as secretary of transportation and communications.

"People are only saying that (we have a de facto martial law)," he said.

"But I go by the dictum in the military, which says the commander is always responsible for the accomplishment of his mission The President is the head of government, she is the commander in chief, she is responsible (for whatever she does) for the good of the people.

"So she’s getting people who can help her. Let’s not fault the President for that. She knows the people she can trust and who can work best for the welfare of the public."

Ermita said retired police and military officials could not be confined to security-related tasks.

"Everything in governance has relation with security," he said.

"Be it the DOTC because of airports security and others, the DPWH when it comes to big government projects, the DENR with the oil spill (in Guimaras). Everything has security implication, even agriculture and health (departments)."

Retired Armed Forces chief Angelo Reyes was also named defense secretary, and then secretary of the interior and local government.

He now heads the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Lomibao retired last July.

Mrs. Arroyo also named Government Mass Media Group head Cerge Remonde as chairman of the National Anti-Poverty Commission vice Zamzamin Ampatuan, who was appointed head of the revived Southern Philippines Development Authority.

Ermita said other appointments to the SPDA are: Habib Mudjahab Hashim, administrator and ex-officio vice chair; and Saeed Daof, Yusop Jikiri, Hadja Bainon Karon and Mohammad Ali Basir Lucam, members of the board of directors.