Palace bares new appointees

MANILA, Philippines –  President Aquino named former socio-economic planning secretary Felipe Medalla as member of the board of directors of the Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC) and former Health Secretary Jaime Galvez-Tan as member of the board of commissioners of the Commission on Population.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the President also appointed Josefino Torres as deputy administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), while Reynaldo Robles, lawyer of detained Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, was named member of the board of directors of the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA).

Medalla served as socio-economic planning adviser of former President Joseph Estrada while Tan served as health secretary during the term of former President Fidel Ramos.

Valte said the President is expected to complete the vacancies in government by December.

Other appointees include: Paulo Alcazaren, Mary Jane Ortega and Augusto Villalon as members of the board of trustees of Nayong Pilipino, all for a term of one year;

Liberty Casco as executive director of the Maritime Training Council; Josefino Torres as deputy administrator of OWWA; Carolyn Espiritu as member of the board of trustees of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

The President also reappointed Bob Gothong to the PNOC board, together with Potenciano Larrazabal Jr., Rolando Bacani and Oscar Ala.

Valte said the President also appointed Gloria Pagdilao as acting Director III of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); Benjamin de Leon and Rodrigo Tano as members of the Board of Commissioners, Commission on Population;

Manuel ChuaChiaco as acting executive director of the Philippine Heart Center;

Gavino Barlin as acting deputy executive director of the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority; Teodoro Herbosa as Undersecretary of the Department of Health under co-terminus status (secondment from the University of the Philippines); Fermin de Leon Jr. as Director IV (president) under co-terminus status, National Defense College of the Philippines; Marita Yoro, Acting Director III, Department of National Defense;

Rene Enrique Silos and Manuel Medina, members of the board of directors of the Philippine Reclamation Authority for a term expiring on March 3, 2012; Dr. Magdaleno Albarracin Jr., member of the University of the Philippines Board of Regents for the unexpired term up to Feb. 18, 2012, vice Francis Chua.

Television host and talent manager Boy Abunda has been appointed as assistant vice president for entertainment in the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor). – With Evelyn Macairan