MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED 11:53 a.m.) — Presumptive president Rodrigo "Rody" Duterte is looking forward to a gender-sensitive Cabinet patterned after the lineup of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
"He wanted young people, we are also sensitive sa gender issue so hopefully maraming babae. Of course we wanted to ideally follow Prime Minister Trudeau's cabinet in Canada," Duterte's spokesperson Peter Laviña said in a press conference on Friday.
Trudeau formed the first ethnically diverse Canadian Cabinet with an equal number of men and women. The ministers, 15 men and 15 women, were mostly aged under 50.
Laviña added that the presumptive president is also looking forward to having Cabinet members from ethnic groups and social sectors.
Duterte, however, will not yet announce his new Cabinet once they have been approved by the presumptive president.
"We are considering a number of names already but we are not at liberty to disclose them until they are okayed by the presumptive because mahirap naman baka some of these people are not interested," Laviña said.
Laviña added that the next administration is looking for Cabinet officials with a shared vision, integrity, competence or ability and willingness to sacrifice.
Duterte's spokesperson noted that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) might also be considered to be members of the next Cabinet.
"The best and the brightest throughout the country and our brothers and sisters abroad, OFWs. Maraming talents that left the country. If they are willing to return, sacrifice for the next six years, of course we would welcome them," Duterte's spokesperson said.
The Duterte camp had earlier announced the members of the incoming administration's Transition Committee, which he divided into six Cabinet clusters:
- Leoncio Jun Evasco - social development
- Christopher Bong Go - peace and security
- Carlos Dominguez - economic development
- Salvador Medialdea - justice system
- Loreto Ata - government-owned and controlled corporations
- Peter Laviña - infrastructure development
"These are the six major clusters so that we will be able to hasten the process of receiving... We are receiving lists, nominees, suggetsions of potential members of the Cabinet as well as sub-Cabinet positions and head of various agencies," Laviña said.
Duterte's spokesperson said the committee is looking for Cabinet members who have shared vision with the mayor, as well as "integrity, ability or capacity and (willingness to) sacrifice."
The Duterte camp is yet to meet with the team of President Benigno Aquino III for a smooth transition between the outgoing and incoming administrations.
"We are hoping to travel to Manila very soon so that we can meet our counterparts and get a feel of the necessary steps to effect a smooth transition of power to the next administration," Laviña said.