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AGENCIES
MANILA
A Malacaأ±ang spokesperson on Sunday defended President Duterte's recent appointees from criticisms that they are unqualified for their posts and were merely rewarded for help during the campaign.
~Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said the president has reasons for choosing the people picked for government posts.
~"If the president wishes to appoint anyone that the president deems credible, then we leave the wisdom behind those to the president," Andanar said in an interview with radio station dzRB.
~"Many Filipinos understand what we call presidential prerogative," he added.
~Andanar noted that reports about the designation of people to government posts are just rumours until the appointment papers are signed.
~Among the new appointees who are drawing flak online for their supposed lack of qualifications are musician and business man Ramon"RJ" Jacinto, who has been named presidential adviser on economic affairs and information technology communications; television host Arnell Ignacio, who has been appointed Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp assistant vice president for community relations; and acoustic singer Jimmy Bondoc, who has been designated PAGCOR assistant vice president for entertainment.
~Jacinto composed one of Duterte's campaign jingles while Bondoc and Ignacio endorsed his presidential bid.
~Former ABS-CBN reporter Katherine de Castro, another Duterte supporter, has been appointed Tourism undersecretary for media affairs.
~There are also rumours that Freddie Aguilar, Duterte's favourite singer, may be named chief of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
~Previous reports have quoted NCCA chairman Felipe de Leon as saying the head of the agency has to be elected by its Board of Commissioners.
~Malacaأ±ang, however, has yet to confirm reports that Aguilar is being considered as chairman of the cultural agency.
