Sunday, June 15, 2008 Cuenco endorses Oaminal to DDB
BARRING no hitches, lawyer Clarence Paul Oaminal, Cebu’s staunch anti-drug crusader, will sit as undersecretary of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB).
Rep. Antonio Cuenco (Cebu City, south district) yesterday revealed that papers bearing DDB’s official endorsement of Oaminal to the post have already been forwarded to the Office of the President.
Sun.Star Cebu learned that the DDB resolution is now in the office of Secretary Cerge Remonde of the Presidential Management Staff.
If appointed before President Arroyo leaves for an official trip abroad this month, Oaminal will act as undersecretary of current DDB Director Anselmo Avenido.
“But he will hold office in Cebu,” Cuenco told reporters after his speech that formally opened the anti-illegal drugs order of battle workshop yesterday morning.
The DDB, a Malacańang-created agency, formulates anti-drug prevention and control programs.
Sought for comment, Oaminal, also Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 7 legal consultant, said he will just wait for the outcome of his endorsement.
Policies
If designated as DDB undersecretary, Oaminal promised to work hard to enforce DDB’s “unimplemented” policies in the grassroots.
These, among others, include the family drug abuse prevention program and the establishment of the special drug education center.
Cuenco’s announcement also came amid reports that Malacańang will appoint former senator Vicente Sotto III as the next DDB chairman, replacing Avenido.
The President reportedly asked Sotto, a defeated senatorial candidate of the administration party in the 2007 national polls, to join the cabinet last year. (GC)
