PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III appointed former senator Mar Roxas to head the Departmentof Transportation and Communication (DOTC) after Transportation Secretary Jose de Jesus resigned last week. The President made the announcement in a Palace briefing on Tuesday, adding that Roxas accepted his offer to lead the DOTC following their meeting on Monday. At the same time, the President said Roxas will also become his senior adviser for economic cluster.
The President said he was surprised by the resignation of Secretary de Jesus, who is leaving thecabinet to go back to the private sector, adding he wants to give the DOTC portfolio to people hetrusts. Roxas can initiate reforms at the DOTC, the President said noting the importance of thedepartment as it handles big ticket items. He said the reported huge projects at the agency, graftand corruption is also rampant and the appointment of Roxas will put a stop to these anomalies,President Aquino said.
The President said he is confident that Roxas can push reforms at DOTC, being one of thepeople who opposed and stopped the controversial national broadband deal during the Arroyo administration. Several sectors have expressed positive response with Roxas’s appointment and the Presidentsaid he expects the new DOTC chief will have good relations especially with the private sector.(PCOO)
