PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is still scouting for the replacement of the late Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) governor Nestor Espenilla Jr., Malacañang said on Tuesday, February 26.
In a press conference, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the next BSP chief should be competent and imbued with integrity.
"Dalawa lang naman ang palagi niyang sinasabi -- integrity and competence (The President is considering just two things -- the integrity and competence of a person he will appoint)," the Palace official said, when asked what qualifications Duterte is considering in picking the new BSP governor.
"[The Palace is expecting] the continuity of the work done by the previous governor," he added.
Espenilla, whose four-decade career in the central bank started in debt analysis, passed away on Saturday, February 23, after a year-long battle with tongue cancer. He was 60.
On Sunday, February 24, Malacañang acknowledged Espenilla's "great service to the nation." (SunStar Philippines)