MANILA, Philippines (Updated 11:41 p.m.) — President Rodrigo Duterte has designated former Department of Interior and Local Government officer-in-charge Catalino Cuy as the new Dangerous Drugs Board chief.
Former Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Eduardo Año has also been officially named the officer-in-charge of DILG.
Duterte has been vocal about wanting Año to lead the DILG but a law prohibits military officers from being appointed secretary within a year of the date of their retirement or resignation. The general was appointed DILG undersecretary when he retired last October.
Año is filling in for Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno, who was fired over corruption allegations last April.
Cuy, on the other hand, replaces former DDB chairman Dionisio Santiago, who was fired for, among other things, criticism of the government's mega rehabilitation center in Nueva Ecija. Santiago's predecessor Benjamin Reyes was also fired for "contradicting the government" on drug figures and policy.
Cuy’s term will expire on July 4, 2018.
The papers were signed January 4.