A MALACANANG official admitted that President Benigno Aquino III has accommodated several recommendations of possible appointee from the people who have helped him during the campaign.
Presidential Communications Office Secretary Herminio Coloma said such "is a normal process" in a post election transition.
He stressed that nothing was irregular with it since all recommendations were reviewed and evaluated by the President before a decision is made.
He also said Malacanang could defend all appointments in the aspect of merits, competence and track record.
Some of the appointees of Aquino were questioned due to his personal relationship and closeness to them.
Aquino appointed his personal optometrist Vivian Sarabia as new member of the Board of Optometry of Professional Regulation Commission.
He also installed Mario Montejo, who is a brother-in-law of Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, to the Department of Science and Technology
His latest appointment was Emilio De Quiros who is the brother of columnist Conrado de Quiros, a close friend of the Aquino family.
“One important element is the confidence and trust on the part of the appointing power…It is important that the President has full trust, confidence and faith to those he appoints,” Coloma noted.
Aquino himself stood pat on all of his appointees saying they are all qualified and suitable for the positions.
Coloma explained that Ochoa also has a crucial part in deciding appointments.
“Secretary Ochoa is the final clearing house. He reviews the documents before it was forwarded to the President,” he said. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)