Ex-AFP chief Eduardo Año gets DILG

Catalino Cuy appointed Drugs Board chief

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has pushed through with his plan to appoint retired Armed Forces chief Eduardo Año as head of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) but only as officer-in-charge, replacing Catalino Cuy who was named chairman of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB).

Before Año’s retirement in October last year, the President had announced he wanted the then military chief to be DILG secretary.

But this was deferred following Malacañang’s review of Republic Act 6975 or the DILG Act of 1990, which states that “no retired or resigned military officer or police official may be appointed as secretary within one year from the date of his retirement or resignation.” 

Año was appointed undersecretary instead as Duterte wanted him to oversee the military operations in Marawi City as well as the implementation of martial law in Mindanao. 

Meanwhile, Cuy replaced Dionisio Santiago, who was fired by Duterte last November for making comments about the drug war before the media instead of discussing his concerns with the President.

In particular, Santiago criticized the mega drug rehabilitation center that a Chinese donor built in Nueva Ecija, calling it a mistake because of its distant location, when family and community support is needed for drug users to get rehabilitated.

“This is a new challenge,” Cuy, a former police general, said in a text message when asked to comment on his appointment.

He refused to answer other questions, including his plans for the board.

Cuy will also serve as permanent member of the DDB until July 4 of this year.

Cuy became OIC of the DILG after the President axed then secretary Ismael Sueno in April of last year due to loss of trust and confidence.

Senators welcomed Cuy’s appointment to the DDB, saying they expect him to perform well in his new post as he did at the DILG.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson said he can speak highly of Cuy based on his official dealings with him as chairman of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, and former chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“I knew him (Cuy) as a professional and efficient police official,” the senator said.

As DILG undersecretary and later OIC, Cuy “performed very well and I see no reason why he can’t handle DDB with the same effectiveness,” he said.

Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III, who was former DDB chairman, said he also hopes Cuy would do his job well given the magnitude of the country’s drug problem.  – Emmanuel Tupas, Paolo Romero