Braganza OK by CA supported

Political leaders in Pangasinan and the Ilocos provinces have urged the Commission on Appointments (CA) to confirm the appointment of Secretary Hernani Braganza as head of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

Pangasinan Vice Gov. Oscar Lambino said Braganza’s "sense of justice honed as a student leader during the darkest years of martial law and as a legislator during the difficult transition period years after, will serve him well in his bigger role as DAR secretary."

"He has demonstrated his mettle both in Congress and during his first 10 months at the helm of the agrarian reform program. It will be a loss to the country and to the people, if Secretary Braganza will be unceremoniously eased out of office now," Lambino said.

Dagupan Mayor Benjie Lim also intimated the city is finalizing a resolution endorsing the young secretary.

Former Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson, on the other hand, said Braganza makes a good crisis manager at a time when the country needs one.

"I only fired the first shot in the fight to oust President Estrada. Nani Braganza and other behind-the-scene operators planned the daily battles and eventually won the war against a corrupt regime," Chavit revealed.

Braganza also worked behind the scenes to swing the support of police and military commanders against a corrupt leader during critical moments that led to the success of EDSA II. — With Eva de Leon