'No need to explain Cao's ouster'

MANILA, Philippines - Former Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) administrator Carlos Cao Jr. just needs to move on.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said there is no need for President Aquino to explain why he appointed new POEA chief Hans Cacdac to replace Cao.

“There is no need to explain why the President needs to change heads of offices. All of us are political appointees, so unless they have civil service eligibility, they can be removed from their positions anytime,” Baldoz said.

“Maybe he (Cao) is just not aware of the government procedure because he came from the private sector, but he has been fully informed of his replacement,” Baldoz said, contrary to the claim of Cao that he had not been notified about his removal from office.

Baldoz also said that the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) even accommodated Cao’s request to delay the assumption to office of Cacdac.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda likewise denied claims that the removal of Cao was “fast and rude” as claimed by his supporters.

Migrante International chair Garry Martinez said Cao had so far been the most accessible, sincere and open-minded head of POEA.

He said politics could be behind Cao’s ouster since the former POEA chief declared that under his leadership, the agency cancelled the permits of 300 recruitment agencies.

The other day, Cacdac officially assumed his new post as POEA chief after a simple turnover ceremony, which Cao did not attend.

Cacdac immediately convened a meeting of the POEA directorate and laid down his priorities.

He vowed to streamline overseas Filipino worker (OFW) documentation and strengthen the enforcement of anti-illegal recruitment laws and licensed recruitment regulations.

The new POEA head is also set to institutionalize consultative mechanisms involving stakeholders in the sea-based and land-based sectors, provide further protection for OFWs and work with concerned government agencies in promoting OFW welfare.

No word yet

Meanwhile, Lacierda said there was no word yet from President Aquino if immigration chief Ricardo David would also be replaced.

“I have no information,” Lacierda said.

David, a former Armed Forces chief of staff, was appointed in March.

Lacierda also said they would just have to await the President’s decisions on any other movements in the different government offices. – With Aurea Calica