MANILA -- President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III on Wednesday announced the appointment of Emil de Quiros and Gina Bautista-Martin as president of Social Security System (SSS) and administrator of Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), respectively.

Aquino made the announcement in a press briefing held at the New Executive Building in Malacanang.

De Quiros is a brother of Inquirer columnist Conrado de Quiros.

But Aquino said his family’s close ties with Conrado have nothing to do with the appointment of Emil.

“I signed his appointment papers yesterday,” said Aquino referring to Emil’s appointment papers.

Emil replaced former SSS President Romulo Neri.

Bautista-Martin, on the other hand, is a sugar planter in Nergos Occidental. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)