Chavit named anti-jueteng consultant

Estrada whistle-blower Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson is now a consultant of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in the fight against illegal gambling.

Interior Secretary Jose Lina Jr. said Singson will be receiving a salary of P1 a year for his services.

At Malacañang, President Arroyo named yesterday Lakas-NUCD-UMDP executive director Joey Rufino as presidential adviser on political affairs, and former Ramos political adviser Gabriel Claudio as Presidential Adviser on Strategic Concerns.

Both posts have Cabinet rank.

Mrs. Arroyo also appointed Zamzamin Ampatuan, who is a former official of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, as executive director of the Office of Muslim Affairs; and Dave Gomez, a former STAR reporter, as acting director general of the Philippine Information Agency.

Lina told reporters at a press conference at his DILG office in Quezon City that Singson’s "expertise in the ins and outs of jueteng" would be of great help to the department’s nationwide anti-gambling campaign.

"Through the expertise of Governor Singson, we can formulate new approaches to make the campaign successful," he said.

Lina said the appointment of Singson would be "without prejudice" to the cases that may be filed against him in connection with his alleged illegal activities.

"We just want his knowledge on jueteng," he said. "We don’t intend to shield him from obligations that he has to face."

Lina said the controversial governor will be receiving an annual salary of P1 for his services as an anti-gambling consultant of the department.

"He (Singson) already accepted the offer (to be an anti-gambling consultant)," he said. "We already have an open-line of communication to discuss matters related to illegal gambling."

Malacañang sources told The STAR yesterday Mrs. Arroyo is still studying who among the names recommended by the Talent Search Committee should be appointed the new secretary of health.

The three nominees are: former acting Health Secretary Jaime Galvez Tan, Health Undersecretary Manuel Dayrit, and a certain Dr. Lacap, the sources added.

Meanwhile Presidential Spokesman Renato Corona denied yesterday that he and Executive Secretary Renato de Villa are engaged in a "turf war" for influence at the Palace.

"The two Batangueños have no conflict because the two Batangueños talk man-to-man," he said. "We really have no conflict between the two of us. It’s only that some naughty people were trying to pit us as if in cockfighting."

Corona, who is also Mrs. Arroyo’s chief of staff, told The STAR yesterday he has a "very limited scope of authority and responsibility" at the Office of the President as compared to De Villa. – With Marichu Villanueva