No fixed term for BI presidential appointees

MANILA, Philippines - This refers to your Editorial in yesterday’s (April 11) issue of the Philippine STAR relative to the alleged creation of fixed terms in executive positions by the Office of the President.

In this regard, we wish to correct the inaccurate statement that the appointment of Mr. Eric Buhain as Executive Director vice Franklin Z. Littaua on March 15, 2010 by the Office of the President is with a fixed term of six years. Like the three members of the Board of Commissioners, there is no law nor statute that we are aware of fixing the term of the Bureau’s Executive Director. As such, our four presidential appointees do not enjoy security of tenure and serve at the pleasure of the President.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to rectify the said misimpression in the interest of balanced, fair and responsible journalism. — Atty. FELINO C QUIRANTE JR., Chief, BI Administrative Division