Dinky Soliman back to her old post
by Gil C. Cabacungan Jr., Philip Tubeza
Philippine Daily Inquirer
TARLAC CITY—Presidential front-runner Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III is seriously thinking of inviting his cousin Gilbert Teodoro to join the “talent search” for members of his proposed Cabinet.
In a press conference Tuesday, Aquino disclosed that he had checked out the ban on hiring relatives up to the fourth degree of consanguinity and found that it did not apply to Teodoro because their kinship was in the fifth degree.
Teodoro, the Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard-bearer, was among the candidates who conceded the presidential race to Aquino on Tuesday.
“That’s possible,” Aquino said when asked if Teodoro was being considered for his planned Cabinet. Previously, he observed that among his rivals for the presidency, only Teodoro and Bangon Pilipinas standard-bearer Bro. Eddie Villanueva had not attacked him personally in the 90-day campaign.
Aquino said that while he was open to meeting with his cousin, “I will understand if he does not want to talk to anybody in the next few days.”
“He tried to keep the debate at a high standard, and for that I am thankful,” said Aquino, the standard-bearer of the Liberal Party (LP).
No posts for Kris, Shalani
Aquino was firm that his sister, celebrity host Kris Aquino, and girlfriend, Valenzuela Councilor Shalani Soledad, would have no official functions in his administration.
“Kris, I think, craves that she has no role in my government. And Shalani will perform her functions as city councilor,” he said.
So far, only Corazon “Dinky” Soliman, who quit as social welfare secretary under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s administration, has agreed to take up her old post, Aquino said.
He said his top choice for executive secretary was a lawyer-friend—an LP member but not a candidate—who had yet to decide on whether to give up his private practice.
Aquino said a search committee would be formed to oversee the talent search for Cabinet positions.
To trim Cabinet
He said he planned to personally interview all his appointees, who, he added, would have to agree to make sacrifices in the next six years.
“Not only will I not steal but I will [also] go after those who are stealing,” Aquino said.
He said he planned to reduce not only the Cabinet positions but also the number of consultants, and to retain only the important agencies.
Aquino also said he had “a surplus of talent” from which to choose the members of a commission that would resolve outstanding issues in the Arroyo administration, such as the “Hello Garci” election fraud scandal and the P728-million fertilizer fund scam.
He said he intended to undo the “midnight” appointments and deals that Ms Arroyo made in the last months of her term, and that his lawyers were crafting a mechanism on how to counteract her plan to appoint the successor of Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno.
He added that while the Supreme Court had given Ms Aquino the authority to make the appointment, it was an unconstitutional move that should be reversed when he takes up the reins of government.
Transition team
Soliman herself announced at a press conference Tuesday in Manila that with Aquino expected to win the presidency, his campaign was forming a “transition team” that would negotiate a smooth transition of power with the outgoing administration and also help jump-start the effort to ensure Ms Arroyo’s accountability for alleged crimes.
“One of the sure things being prepared at this stage is the transition team,” Soliman said, adding that Aquino would announce the members of the team “in the next two days.”
“Senator Noy is making consultations on who will be included [in the team], and their mandate,” she said.
According to Soliman, Aquino will choose the members of the transition team that will lay the groundwork for a commission tasked to go after Ms. Arroyo.
“[Aquino’s mandate] is clear on that, and it is an important thing for those who are with him. I think that will be one of the outputs of the transition team, so that it would already be rolling as the leadership enters on July 1,” she said.
Soliman said Ms Arroyo should be made to answer for the purported crimes that happened under her watch.
Arroyo’s corruption issues
“Senator Noy has said that it is important that Ms Arroyo be made to account for all the issues that have been raised against her, specifically issues on corruption, stealing and even … killing because I know there are groups that are ready [to file] cases in our courts, and even in international courts, on those three issues,” Soliman said, adding:
“There should be a recognition that she did wrong, particularly, for me, the betrayal of our country which had expected an honest government.”
Special commission for Cha-cha
While he expressed satisfaction with the turnout of votes for his allies in local positions, Aquino said it remained his top priority to talk with members of both chambers of Congress, including the incumbent senators, to gain their support for policy reforms that would set the country on the right course.
Aquino is also expected to form a special commission to determine whether the public would back Charter change and finally resolve this contentious issue.
On whether he would make wholesale changes in the military leadership, Aquino refused to give “a blanket answer to a blanket question.”
He said there were “less professional” members of the military brass, and that he might need to call their attention for their actions.
Hyatt 10
Soliman said it was not clear if the “Hyatt 10” and other former government executives who helped in Aquino’s campaign would get posts in his administration.
She belongs to the Hyatt 10, a group of Cabinet officials who quit their posts at the height of the “Hello Garci” election fraud scandal in 2005 and called on Ms Arroyo to step down.
When asked about Aquino’s offer for her to join his proposed Cabinet, Soliman said they had yet to discuss details but that she was prepared to do her part in the government.
“He would say before: ‘It is important for you to help if we’re able to cross the Pasig and make it to Malacañang.’ I would always say that I’m ready to serve the people under the leadership of Senators Noy and [Mar] Roxas,” she said.
Soliman said the Aquino campaign had yet to discuss appointments in the incoming administration because it was still busy making sure that the votes, particularly those for Roxas, would be counted.
Basics mga kababayan. Pahinga muna si Gibo. There is a one year ban on appointments ng mga talunan. Kaya naghintay si Edong Angara(pal) bago siya naging appointee ni Erap.
when magsaysay became president, one of his first act was to ban his relatives from gov’t positions, a good president must lead by good example, Noynoy could learn from the good points as well as the mistakes of his mother
I think, the best weapon to accomplish something or do away from “‘greed-corruption “‘( the bottom line of all problems in the governance, management-operation of a community-country, organizations )is TO BE CHRIST LIKE ATTITUDE. HIS
greatest weapons were: HUMILITY, SIMPLENESS, HONESTY, FEAR to the FATHER GOD ( Constitution and to the mandate-power of the people-Filipinos ). I have seen in President-Elect NoyNoy these qualities ( example: we never observe him to be troubled in spite of the failures of(ALL)the smartmatic machines in the precinct he was voting. He was very humble-cool,entertaining and was even putting himself to be at least, the last to vote. He was caring and careful-vigilant.
He had shown the above virtues inherent from prayerful mom-Cory, and goal-mind-oriented from the late Ninoy Aquino, his dad.We did not noticed any signs (abnormality) from what he was doing, instead straightforward and very coherent and very responsible and respectable ( that made him won the Presidency ).. With ALL the good attitudes he had shown, Filipinos became comfortable with him with an open arms and minds ( the 90-million Filipinos needs to be understanding and solid for whatever excellent dreams and goals the Aquino-Roxas Team for the country. THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME !). Noynoy should or his team, learn from the past mistakes of the administrations, the weak points from his late dad and mom and be bold to good points that are good for the country and the Filipinos all over the world. WE, as “Filipino-blooded race” should keep PRAYERFUL everyday for the good of ALL. We our group salute and CONGRATULATE the excellent process made by the COMELECT. Commissioner Melo had vindicated and save the office of TRUST. Also, the AFP-PNP, Journalists, ABS-CBN, GMA, vigilant citizenry, the hard-working teachers-election operators-staff, the FILIPINOS who thronged to vote for a change, it was tearful with joy. What a great expectation from a “negative nightmare” ( thoughts of Failure of Election ). THANKS be to GOD and GOD BLESS the PHILIPPINES and the Filipino race, and the whole world !..We need to recognize also, ELLEN’s writings ( blogs) and dedicated-honest participation in the making of a great NATION in the Far East, putting back, Pearl of the Orient.She is an outstanding gift of GOD, through journalism to the country ! We will always pray for her sound health ( body-mind-soul).
Ibasura na lahat ng galing sa kampo ni Gloria. Magaling si Gibo oo pero sa potential lang. Wala sa kinetic.
Di pa nakakaupo, Kamganak Inc. na agad, susmaryosep, maagang imbitasyon sa mga kritiko yan. haaay.
Glad to know that Noynoy is really bent on going after Gloria’s and her cabal’s sins.
This would immediately give warning to those still in government to stop all their graft and corruption activities. And Noynoy’s own appointees and so-called “Kamaganaks” would be forewarned by this.
The NoyNoy-MAR should open and read, all the Ellen’s blogs, to make him careful in the appoinments ( anti-kamag-anakan commentaries )…kalimutan nya munang mag-bangit ng invitations katulad ni GIBO ( iwasan, marami naman dyan na nag-aantay lang ng call or attention…Katulad ni Harvey Khee, isang kaba-taang magaling-matalino, professor sa Ateneo at supporter ng LP…) he should avoid invitations from any relatives, instead TRUST or give chance to youthful-dynamic leaders who has the potential of leadership and change. I think, KAYA NATIN MOVEMENT has the rooster…yong mga hardworking-die-hard LP’s na di nya kamag-anakan, marami dyan, katulad ni Jess Robredo, dinala
ang beauty ng Metro Manila sa Naga City. Yong patriotic na Gobernador ng Bulakan ( kumunta kasama ni Fr. Ed Panlilio, about 500K lagay sa plastic bag from palasyo, etc..)..HE SHOULD avoid mentioning an offer to kamag-anakan, DILIKADO iyan sa mga sensitive na Pilipino, lalo na hinog sila sa sugat ng pag-kakamali sa 10-taon ni GMA…dito, sa Ellen blog, mayroong ding mga potentials na dapat pansinin…
The way I see it, this will be a race between Gloria and Noynoy as to who can first put the other behind bars.
Gloria will try to control House and the Senate in order to impeach and/or harass Noynoy’s presidency. Noynoy will try to put her and her cabal behind bars.
Who can do it faster?
The best way to checkmate Gloria from impeachment harassments against Noynoy is citizen support.
All Noynoy supporters should continue to organize and tell, write, email, blog their Congressmen and Senators to watch out. Any wrong move from them and they will get it in the neck come next elections.
There has to be a way to monitor the moves and votes of their Congressmen and the Senators.
Gloria just appointed Corona as new SC Chief justice. Is this preempting the inevitable? Will Noynoy make good his threat not to recognize Corona? Baka if he remove Corona as CJ, baka si Noynoy ang ma-impeach? Hmmm…
Maybe if Prez Noy smokes in Makati’s no-smoking zones, Binay (the younger) can put him in jail! Hehehe…
Sorry if this is off topic…but just an update: That QC councilor who ran without INC support because he couldn’t “donate” 3M won, and even was no. 1 in his district!
Seems INC is losing its hold over its followers…it’s about time.
“Maybe if Prez Noy smokes in Makati’s no-smoking zones, Binay (the younger) can put him in jail! Hehehe…” – Lurker
And Noynoy will tell him, “May presidential immunity ako, impeah me first. Bleh..!!!” 😛
I need help. I have a big debate with my father-in-law. If Noynoy dies (leading the counting) and not yet been proclaimed, will Erap be the next president (second from the counted votes) or Binay leading the VP or should be the LP party to choose then it is Mar.
jojovelas2005:
simple logic lang naman yan. Hndi pa naman presidente so Noy, hindi pa nanunumpa, si GMA pa ang presidente, therefore pag namatay si noy sa ngayon hindi pa siya presidente so mas lalong wala pang bise. kaya ang sagot sa tanong mo, si erap ang magiging presidente kasi siya ang susunod na pinakamadaming boto. Yung bise siempre yun pa rin buhay naman siya eh. Ang Bise ay pwede lang pumalit sa presidente kung naproklama na siya ang bise at naproklama na ang presidente niya.
Si Dinky ilalagay daw sa welfare pero heto at umaastang siya ang speaker, papano ngayon yan, umpisa pa lang may pumapapel na, baka naman ganyan ang mangyari sa noy cabinet? kanya kanyang papelan?
Phil Cruz
sinabe na rin yan ni erap, walang kamag anak pero sa kangkungan pinulot. recycled promise na lang yan.
Ang unang dapat bantayan ng tao ay yung panganko nya na ipamimigay nya ang hacienda, hanggat di niya yan nagagawa wala siyang magagawa na iba.
si kris nangako na aalis siya ng bansa pag nanalo si noy, o hayan kris mag alsa balutan ka na, ihahatid ka ng nga mga tao sa airport, saan ka ba pupunta?
Sometime during the elections, Noynoy said he will go after the Marcoses.
A unsworn president who’s demeanor borders cavalierness about who’s who in his upcoming cabinets. Why can’t he just be humble and say “I haven’t crossed the bridge yet”.
I’d like to see who he will install in key positions where money can be siphoned easily, DPHW, Subic Bay Port Boss, etc. etc….etc…..
Congratulations to Filipinos,me inlcuded for a good turnout and speedy results of the elections.
I was one of the skeptics of this automation, with thoughts runninglike E-Garci Type manipulation/s. I am happy to be proven wrong. I thank the citizenry for being vigilant, which could have served as deterrent for any mischief. Teething pains were experienced, but suffice to say, the exercise was good and speedy.
Noynoy is now presumably President-Elect, all the more that he would need our help in reshaping our country. Hence,, if you think or even have an inkling that something is amiss, please do not hesitate to let it be known,thru blogs, text, or writing the department head concerned.
This will be a new beginning for us all, a chance to correct what is wrong, let’s not put it to waste. Noynoy would be more than happy for all the help we could extend to him.
Thank you and Godspeed to us all!
Kumusta mga ka-Ellenville! It’s been a while since I posted here in Ellen’s blog.
I’m still hopeful that Mar makes it as our VP, but if Binay is it, so be it… In terms of loyalty, I think Noy will not have a problem with Jojo who has proven his worth in terms of this attribute. Remember, during those dark days of Martial Law, Binay stuck it out with Ninoy in most of his military tribunal trials while most of their so-called friends (and even relatives) are trying to keep a distance from the Aquinos because of Ninoy’s incarceration. My only issue with Binay is his past corruption controversies in Makati.
Noy should immediately establish an Anti-Corruption Commission that is quasi-judicial in nature. Dapat pwedeng magbusisi ng mga legal and financial documents without impediments as long as this commission recommends it to the President. Dapat may sariling armed task force ito (a-la PDEA) dahil siguradong may mga tatmaang politiko na willing makipagbarilan wag lang sila makulong. Kaya ang gusto kong ilagay niya dito sa Anti-Corruption Comm: si Gen Danny Lim, tapos ably-assisted by Col. Querubin. Ginawa na ito sa HK at SIngapore. Malaysia also has one. Indonesia did put up one, kaya lang puro abogado at walang armed component kaya may mga cases na hinarass at kindnap pa ng mga military supporters ng mga politicians ang mga investigators nila last year.
Dapat ma-control muna niya ang Congress to counter any moves by GMA to put herself in as the new Speaker para matuloy ang panaginip niyang Parliamentary transition via ConAss. Dito niya kailangan ang civil society at mga people’s org to put pressure on those in Congress na nabibili ang boto — for sure kilala na nila ang mga ito. Dapat sa mga ito takutin via blackmail — pag bumoto ka dahil nabayaran ka, lalabas ng intelligence mga baho at kalansay na tinatago mo, he he. So dapat kung may papalitan si Noy sa AFP, unahin niya ang ISAFP at ibang mga intel chiefs.
N.B. All defeated candidates cannot be appointed until a year after, so Lim and Querubin are already out.
What about Atty. Harry Roque as the Anti-Corruption Comm chief? He he
Harry Roque seems to fit that job to a T.
Yup, with Atty. Roque’s passion and commitment and take-no-prisoner attitude, he will make the grade in his anti-corruption task. But he needs a military person to back him up — probably from the ranks of the Magdalo officers who did not run in this election.
For Finance, probably Joey Cuisia. He just resigned from Philam/AIG so pwede na hugutin from retirement si Mr. Cuisia. For DTI, sana si Dick Gordon ‘coz we need a DTI chief who can sell the country to foreign investors, kaya lang 1 year pa after pwede — I can’t think of any other person right now. Sa NEDA, si Joey Salceda (the guy used to be a chief economist of Union Bank of Switzerland in the region, kaya pati si GMA wa-say pag nagsalita si Salceda re-economics). Sana i-retain sa DOH si Esperanza — I personally know people from DOH and DSWD (where she use to be the Sec.) and they have high regard for her in terms of professionalism and commitment to the organization’s objectives.
One big lesson learned in the almost one decade of fighting Gloria is that she ignores street protests and mass action. She just brings the battle to Congress and she wins.
So let’s do it her way. But this time, we force the battle in our own local Congressional turf. We organize Congressman Watchdog organizations in our own districts and monitor the moves and decisions made by our respective Congressmen..good or bad. Then flood them with our sentiments through email, letters, or the use of more social networking technologies, plus town hall meetings..
Any Congressman would think twice before they vote or make their decisions.
This is our real power to control Congress. Focus on your own respective Congressman.
I’m with you with the retention of Dr. Cabral as DOH head. Can you imagine, she was the only one to go against the anti-condom stance of the Catholic church? And she did it unapologetically.
If not her, then bring back Dr. Quasi Romualdez.
Phil – I agree with your proposition, but knowing how callous most of this Congressmen are, Noy should apply a pincer approach to them – use the intelligence assets of the gov’t. Of course, illegal daw yun — as if di ginagawa nung mga nakaraang administrasyon ito. Ang objective is to gather enough skeletons from these congressmen’s closet that Not can use to twist their arms. Syempre dapat may pluasible deniability ang Presidente. Remember bakit nabuko si Garci? Dahil din sa intel ng AFP.. Kaya nga this should be one of Noy’s top priority – to put in place an intel chief who understands the rationale for doing this — sabihin mo nang black ops ito. Let’s face it, these politicians will not be swayed by reason nor compassion because our political system allows them to live as such.
I am suggesting this because these politicians-cum-criminals couldn’t care much for this country, much less the poor people who are suffering from their corrupt practices. Noy must not miss the long-term goal why many of us voted for him — the promise of eradicating these evil political elites.
Gloria just appointed Corona as new SC Chief justice. Is this preempting the inevitable? Will Noynoy make good his threat not to recognize Corona? Baka if he remove Corona as CJ, baka si Noynoy ang ma-impeach? Hmmm…
THis is the problem now. To make a promise is one thing, but to flfill that promise is another. Campaign period. di nya raw kikilalanin ang GMA-appointed CJ. Pano ngayon yan. May new CJ na in the person of Corona. Of course, yung mga constitutional blah-blah-blah eh palusot lang yun. Mukhang naipangako na kasi ni Noynoy kay Carpio ang CJ post. Ayan, mukhang suntok sa buwan para maging CJ pa si Carpio. I have nothing against Carpio and Corona, kahit sino sa kanila pwedeng maging CJ since associate justices sila ng SC.
To Noynoy, be humble enough to admit na di lahat ng pangako mo ay kaya mong tuparin. Wag mo ng i-challenge pa ang SC. I think Drilon and other legal luminaries sa LP can advise him on that.
I think the first and best thing you can do is to find a win-win solution dyan sa hacienda Luisita issue./ after all, presidente ka na. Win-win solution means yung mga kamag-anak mo at ikaw ay di naman agrabyado kung totally dinistribute na nga yan at pangalawa yung mga farmer-beneficiaries na matagal na matagl ng naghintay.
“One big lesson learned in the almost one decade of fighting Gloria is that she ignores street protests and mass action. She just brings the battle to Congress and she wins.
So let’s do it her way. But this time, we force the battle in our own local Congressional turf. We organize Congressman Watchdog organizations in our own districts and monitor the moves and decisions made by our respective Congressmen..good or bad. Then flood them with our sentiments through email, letters, or the use of more social networking technologies, plus town hall meetings..
Any Congressman would think twice before they vote or make their decisions.
This is our real power to control Congress. Focus on your own respective Congressman.”
You know what, di ganyan kadali yan. What if GMA became the Speaker of the House and she controls significantly the congressmen. Any threat from Noynoy to prosecute GMA will always be reciprocated with a threat to impeach Noynoy regardless kung mababaw o malalim ang legal basis. I think he should focus on rebuilding the country. THe moment na binira nya agad si GMA, mahihirapan sya sa mga magandang plano nya. After all, meron naman tayong ombudsman at mga courts. Let other people file the case kay GMA.
Take note that when Cory stepped in in 1986, naging focus nya yung mga Marcoses, their cronies, and their wealth. And then what, hanggang ngayon kahit madami ang mga nafile na kaso sa mga Marcoses eh mukhang di naman nag-pro-prosper.
I know maraming mga bloggers and di ok sa suggestion ko. Kaya lang think of the consequences din. There was in the news yesterday or recently that yung treasurer ng LP is linked to receiving mony from drug lords. Malacanang can use this issue now na tapos na ang eleksyon. whether this is true or not remains to be seen especially since di npa naman i-dinidisclose in public yung mga campaign donor ng LP. So hindi pa nga nagsisimula, nasa attack mode na kaagad si GMA. I think GMA knows alot about that Haciedna Lusita issue at yung SCTEX na yan na di na pinansin nung campagn period. So kung sino mga involved dyan, GMA can tell that sa public later on.
The person with the highest votes shall be proclaimed elected. That would be Noy. If he dies, hindi pa rin puwede si Erap, because he does not have the highest votes. So Binay will be proclaimed vice, then, because the president shall not have qualified, or is permanently disabled, Binay the vice takes over as prez.
I think Orson just hit the head of the nail — kahit na gaano ka-sincere ang mode natin to counter these Congressmen, with the kind of political system that we have, baka maubos ang panahon ni Noy kaka-counter kay GMA. Kaya I still stick to my original suggestion — twist their arms from behind, he he.. For public consumption, civil ang Presidente at Congress (i.e., GMA’s chique, if ever she became the Speaker). Pero sa likod, tinatrabaho na sila. Ang assumption ko kasi, may gawin man si Noy to counter them or not, wawalanghiyain pa rin tayo ng mga yan at ipipilit ang ConAss patungong Parliamentary form of government.
I also agree with Orson that we must focus on rebuilding the country, but if Noy does not institute counter-actions against this clique, they will only drag this country down maipilit lang ang parliamentary form ni GMA. Am I paranoid? I hope I am, but her and her group’s moves only solidify my belief that she will, at all cost, try to regain her executive powers. Napasarap na sa pwesto’t yaman kaya may kalyo na konsensiya niyan..