FMJ's ex-counsel is now Comelec chair
By J.Lo
"Para sa akin naman, that's part of lawyering... but I will be inhibiting from all cases that I handled,"
George Garcia, a veteran poll lawyer and former counsel of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., has been appointed chair of Commission on Elections (Comelec).
In a message sent to reporters, Garcia shared a photo of his appointment document dated July 22 and signed Aug. 1.
Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles confirmed the development, saying Marcos "submitted Mr. Garcia's name to the Commission on Appointments (CA) as required by law."
Garcia represented Marcos in his poll protest against 2016 rival, former vice president Leni Robredo.
Garcia was appointed by former President Rodrigo Duterte as Comelec commissioner last February but his confirmation was bypassed by CA.
Garcia disclosed he was also a lawyer at some point for presidential contenders Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso, Sen. Manny Pacquiao, and Sen. Panfilo Lacson.
In a statement, Garcia said he is "humbled and thankful for the trust and confidence given" by President Marcos.
"Under my watch, the Comelec will aim for meaningful reforms that will resolve issues identified by stakeholders and voting public…these will include structural reforms that will strengthen good governance founded on accountability, transparency, and integrity," he said.
President Marcos has made new appointments to key positions in the Justice department, a month after he took office.
He named 3 new undersecretaries veteran litigator Jesse Andres, former DOJ assistant secretary Geronimo Sy and lawyer Jose Cadiz, Jr, based on the appointment paper dated July 29.
Undersecretary Deo Marco will stay on while Assistant Secretary Nicholas Felix Ty has been promoted to undersecretary.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla confirmed the new appointments to media.
Andres, Sy and Marco also confirmed their appointments.
Andres, who replaced Usec. Adrian Sugay, will oversee National Prosecution Service.
He previously served as chief of staff to former Vice President Noli de Castro and, prior to that, was co-head of the litigation department of Ponce Enrile Cayetano Bautista Reyes & Manalastas Law Offices (PECABAR) before founding his own law firm.
Sy, who served as assistant secretary from 2008 to 2016, will focus on priority initiatives.
Remulla is waiting for 2 more undersecretary appointments.
In addition to appointments for undersecretary, 2 DOJ assistant secretaries were also named
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has chosen real estate magnate Jose "Jerry" Acuzar to head the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), a video from Malacañang uploaded earlier showed.
Acuzar, the chairman of the New San Jose Builders (NSJB), took his oath before Marcos at the President's Study Room in the Palace, according to a video uploaded on the Radio Television Malacañang's Facebook page.
Malacañang has yet to respond to questions if there would be no conflict of interest in Acuzar's appointment as Housing chief, as NSJB is involved in the construction of residential properties.
Under the law, the DHSUD is responsible for ensuring that Filipinos will have "access and affordability of basic human needs," especially housing.
Acuzar started as "draftsman at Tondo Foreshore Redevelopment Project in 1975 and became a contractor in 1980s before establishing New San Jose Builders Inc. (NSJBI)."
He is also behind the Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar a collection of restored Filipino houses , open to tourists in his hometown in Bagac town, Bataan.
President Marcos has appointed new leaders of attached agencies under the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
Marcos named Cesar Chiong as acting general manager of Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), the DOTr said in a press release.
Chiong succeeded Eddie Monreal and would supervise MIAA to ensure that airports maintain international standards.
President Marcos extended the leadership of Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) Executive Director Carmelo Arcilla, who helmed the agency since Duterte administration.
The President appointed Hernani Nieves Fabia as Maritime Industry Authority's (Marina) administrator, said the transportation department.
Marcos named Edgardo Diaz as deputy director general for the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP). Manuel Antonio Tamayo will serve also as CAAP deputy director general with Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista designating him as Acting Director General, the DOTR said.
Ma. O Ranada Aplasca, on the other hand, will lead the Office for Transportation Security (OTS).
Bautista led the oath taking of the newly-appointed officials, a photo from the DOTr showed.
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