S. Cotabato board backs De Pedro for DAR post

KORONADAL CITY — The provincial board of South Cotabato has passed a resolution endorsing former governor Hilario de Pedro as secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), which is currently being held in an acting capacity by Nasser Pangandaman.

Provincial board member Dardanilo Dar, who authored the resolution, told The STAR that they believe that De Pedro possesses the qualification, experience, education and administrative skills that could make him an efficient DAR secretary.

Dar said he introduced the resolution after he learned that President Arroyo was reportedly considering appointing De Pedro to the DAR post.

"We are supporting his (De Pedro’s) appointment because we know he is very much capable for the position," said South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes, a former House deputy speaker for Mindanao.

Koronadal City Mayor Fernando Miguel said the city council is also planning to pass a similar resolution of support for De Pedro, known here as co-author of the Local Government Code of 1991.

When sought for his comment, De Pedro confirmed that the Malacañang was, indeed, considering him for the DAR post, but added, "Wala pang desisyon na ginawa at hinihintay pa namin (There is still no decision; we are still awaiting it)."

De Pedro said he was "overwhelmed" by the support he is getting from the provincial board members, Koronadal City officials and other sectors in the province.

"Sana i-consider ako ni President Arroyo (I hope President Arroyo considers me)," he said in a long-distance interview.

De Pedro, a staunch supporter of Mrs. Arroyo, served as South Cotabato governor for three consecutive terms from 1992 to 2001. He represented the province’s second district in the House of Representatives from 1987 to 1991.