PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte would take into consideration the concerns of some Moro leaders over the impending appointment of former Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol to the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), Malacañang said on Tuesday, July 9.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo after Murad Ebrahim, interim chief of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), reportedly said that some Moro leaders are wary of Piñol's transfer to the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDa) to serve as Duterte's "point man" in the region.
"I suppose the President will always take any factor being introduced by concerned players in that region," said in a press conference.
"Siyempre lahat iko-consider ni presidente. Kung 'yun ngang sinabi ni Presidente na depende pa kay Mr. Murad, ibig sabihin kino-consider niya kung may opposition or wala (Everything will be considered by the President. When the President said it depends on Mr. Murad, it means he's open to their opposition)," he added.
On June 27, Piñol sent a letter to Duterte, expressing his intent to resign as Agriculture chief and his desire to be reassigned to MinDa.
Duterte, the same day, said he needed to talk to Murad about the Agriculture's chief possible reassignment.
On July 5, the President did not categorically say that he has already accepted Piñol's resignation, but revealed that the latter would be leaving the "agriculture portfolio" for his transfer to MinDA.
Panelo, however, said the possible reappointment of Piñol was not yet final.
"Kasi paano kung ayaw naman ni Mr. Murad?. Yeah, [it's not yet final] kasi 'yun ang sinabi ni Presidente eh. It came from him (What if Mr. Murad opposes his appointment? Yeah, it's not yet final because that's what the President said. It came from him)," he said.
Asked if there is a possibility that Duterte might scout for another person to head the MinDA, the Palace official said: "Anything is possible. Pwede din namang kausapin niya si Mr. Murad. Pwede din naman um-okay na siya na hindi nalang si Sec. Piñol. Tignan natin. Let’s see how it evolves."
(Anything is possible. He may talk to Mr. Murad. Or it would be fine to him not to appoint Sec. Piñol. Let's see. Let's see how it evolves.) (SunStar Philippines)