By Genalyn D. Kabiling
President Duterte has appointed retired Armed Forces chief Gen. Eduardo Año as the new officer-in-charge of the Department of Interior and Local Government.
Año was appointed came after the President designated DILG OIC and Undersecretary Catalino Cuy as chairperson of the Dangerous Drugs Board.
Their appointment papers signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea last Jan. 4 were released by Malacañang yesterday.
“Upon the instruction of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, and to ensure continuous and effective delivery of public service, please be informed that you are hereby designated as Officer-in-Charge of the Department of Interior and Local Government effectively immediately,” Medialdea said in the memorandum to Año.
Año, a former martial law implementor in Mindanao, currently serves as undersecretary of the DILG.
The President earlier wanted to appoint Año as next DILG Secretary but deferred the plan since no retired military or police officer can be appointed as Secretary within one year from retirement.
Cuy, on the other hand, takes the place of former DDB chairperson Dionisio Santiago who was sacked by Duterte over alleged junkets abroad and acceptance of favors from drug lords.
Santiago also got the boot for criticizing a drug rehabilitation center donated by a Chinese tycoon.
