MANILA -- A lawmaker defended the presence of some members of Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad’s family in appointive and elective government posts, citing their strong qualifications to these positions.

Representative Mylene Garcia-Albano (Second District, Davao City) said the Abads are people with proven capability and solid academic backgrounds.

“They are the kinds of people sorely needed in public service and have in fact served in government with never the slightest cloud of doubt about their integrity which is unassailable,” said Garcia-Albano.

Party-list representatives Luz Ilagan (Gabriela Women's Party), Neri Colmenares (Bayan Muna) and Raymond Palatino (Kabataan) earlier commented that there are many too Abads in the Aquino administration. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)