16

:NKcenSEI8KVUXZ September 3-16, 2012

President Benigno Aquino III offcially announced
on Friday, August 31 the appointment of
erstwhile Transportation and Communications
Secretary Mar Roxas as the next Interior and
Local Government chief, replacing the late
Jesse Robredo. Cavite Representative Joseph
E.V. Abaya, meanwhile, will take over Roxas`
responsibilities in DOTC.
As both Roxas and Abaya -- party president and
secretary-general, respectively -- are from the
ruling Liberal Party (LP), the twin appointments
effectively bolster the party`s prospects in next
year`s national elections as well as through to
2016. With Roxas at the DILG helm, he can
help broaden support for the party from among
local offcials and orchestrate the LP campaign
next year.
Roxas has ensured that he has a free rein in
running his new department, including control of
the police and not just the local government, by
easing out Undersecretary Rico Puno of DILG. It
can be recalled that, when his late predecessor
Robredo was appointed DILG chief in 2010,
effective supervision of the police was given to
Puno, reportedly resulting in a power struggle
within the department.
News & Strategy Alerts
Nation
Roxas' appointment as DLG chief effectively bolsters LP's prospects in next year's national elections as
well as through to 2016
Roxas' standing in the party, as well as his plans for the 2016 presidential elections, will hinge greatly on
LP's performance in and outside the polls
Roxas is expected to continue Robredo's good governance
$IWHU5REUHGR5R[DVWDNHVFKDUJH
With his
appointment,
Roxas` standing
in the party, as
well as his plans
for the 2016
presidential
elections, will
hinge greatly on
LP`s performance
in and outside
the polls.
Roxas` earlier
pronouncement
that he has no
plans of running
for president in
2016 may still
change if his work
at DILG can help build up enough clamor later on for his
candidacy.
As DILG Chief, Roxas is expected to continue Robredo`s
good governance initiatives, to buttress his profle for
future polls. To build broad support and raise his profle
further, Roxas should also use his post to push reforms
like job creation, infrastructure and disaster response by
LGUs with national government help.
Representative Joseph Abaya to DOTC
DILG incoming Secretary Mar Roxas
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