Aquino appoints new members of National Museum board

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino has appointed the new officers and members of the board of the National Museum.

Named to the National Museum board were: Ramon del Rosario Jr., chairman; board members Benito Vergara, a scientist, replacing Fidel Sarmiento; Rene Avellana, a historian, replacing Fr. Ben Nebres; and Marinella Fabella, replacing Jose David Lapuz, all with terms expiring March 24, 2014; Felicity Sta. Maria replacing Maria Eloisa Fernan; Corazon Alvina, replacing Mariano Santiago, and Ma. Isabel Ongpin, replacing Bettina Aboitiz, with terms to expire on March 24, 2012.

In August of last year, Arroyo’s supposed midnight appointees at the National Museum resigned after Aquino’s issuance of Executive Order No. 2 revoking all appointments made during the prohibited period.

The museum’s executive director, Jeremy Barns, who had been accused of wrongdoing, said he too would vacate his position but could not resign from government service in general being a career executive service officer 3. Barns claimed he could only be transferred to another position.

Those who tendered their resignation in a letter to Education Secretary Armin Luisto on Aug. 5, 2010 were retired journalist and chairman Hilarion Henares and members Aboitiz, Sarmiento, Lapuz and Mary Ann Bulanadi.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda also announced the appointment of Undersecretary Richard Tiu, topnotcher in the 1985 bar, to the Department of Budget and Management, and Fernando Manalo as acting undersecretary of the Department of National Defense.

Also appointed were Leslie Jean Cordero, representing the Presidential Communications Operations Office in the Movie and Television Review and Censors Board; Amelia Guevarra as acting executive director of the Philippine Council on Industry, Energy Resource Research Development, and Jose Cabanayan Jr. as deputy administrator of the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Named to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources were Datu Miketai Elsawai, replacing Marcelino Gezmundo, and Reynaldo Ganaden, replacing Fernando Lu.

Appointed to the Civil Aeronautics Authority of the Philippines were Agnes Bondoc and lawyer Rodrigo Artuz, as assistant director general.