MALACANANG denied that the Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa lobbied for the appointment of his brother-in-law, Mario Montejo, as secretary of Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda admitted that Montejo is Ochoa’s kin but assured that no soliciting was exerted for him to grab the post.
“Please don’t put any political color because he is more than qualified,” the Lacierda said.
He said that President Benigno Aquino III has the appointing power and not Ochoa, adding that all bets for the position were carefully studied and evaluated.
He added that Montejo is more than qualified for the post since he is an expert scientist.
“He was able to do some inventions in the past and so naniniwala po si Pangulong Aquino na siya po ay more than qualified to head that Department of Science and Technology,” Lacierda said.
P-Noy’s optometrist
Meanwhile, President Aquino appointed his personal optometrist Vivian Sarabia to Professional Regulatory Commission as member of Board of Optometry.
MANILA. President Benigno Aquino III administers the oath of the new sets of officers of the Philippine Sports Commission. (Contributed photo)
She also made the iconic glasses of Aquino’s late parents, senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. and former President Corazon "Cory" Aquino.
The President administered the oath taking of Sarabia, Undersecretary Adrian Crisobal Jr. in the Department of Trade and Industry, Acting Assistant Secretary Jesus Lorenzo in Department of Education, and Deputy Director General Margarita Songco in National Economic and Development Authority.
He also led the oath taking of the new officials of Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) including Ricardo Garcia, Gillian Akko Thomson-Guevarra, Salvador Andrada and Joaquin Loyzaga in Rizal Hall in Malacanang Palace. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)