Incoming President Rodrigo Duterte yesterday offered four key Cabinet positions to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) in the event it accepts his invitation to join the government.
Facing the media for the second time yesterday, Duterte said he’s willing to concede four departments to the CCP, namely: Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
CCP founder Jose Maria Sison had earlier expressed willingness to resume peace talks with the government if Duterte wins the presidency.
Duterte also named possible members of the Cabinet and candidates for the top post of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
He mentioned Carlos Dominguez as finance secretary and Perfecto Yasay to handle the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) if his running mate, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano would not accept the position.
Duterte said he wants Cayetano to head the DFA and the Department of Justice (DOJ) after a one-year ban against candidates for this year’s election.
“I offered to Alan (Cayetano) both the foreign affairs and the justice department. Ewan ko kung ano ang preference nya. Kung saan na department ang piliin nya then the secretary of that department will take care of the agency for one year,” he said.
Cayetano was present during the press conference.
“I hope Sonny Dominguez would reconsider and accept my offer to get the finance department,” Duterte said, adding that his administration will also work with the economic managers in the country.
The Davao mayor also mentioned his San Beda Law School classmate Art Tugade to be the next DoJ secretary if Cayetano would opt to choose the DFA.
Duterte said those who will join the government must be willing to sacrifice and work for the Filipino people.
The names of the candidates for various positions will be published in newspapers so that they will know who are those aspiring for government positions, according to Duterte.
He said he would not entertain endorsements especially from politicians, saying “just submit your resume’ to me and I will study it. That’s all. No more endorsement from politicians.”
Duterte also named three candidates for PNP chief, namely: Chief Supt. Ramon Apolinario, Chief Supt. Ronald dela Rosa and Sr. Supt. Rene Aspera, the chief of staff of the PNP-Anti-Kidnapping Group.
“They are good and had been my chiefs of police in the past. I can say that they had rendered sterling performances in the city of Davao. They are honest, they are not corrupt.”
Duterte said he already told the three police officers to talk among themselves.
