DAVAO CITY —With about two weeks before his inauguration, President-elect Rodrigo Duterte has named secretaries to the Health, Tourism and Trade Departments.
In a video statement coursed through government station PTV4, Ernie Abella, who was named deputy spokesman in the incoming administration, said Health Assistant Secretary Paulyn Ubial, who handles the DOH’s Office for Health Regulations, will be promoted to secretary when the President-elect assumes office on June 30.
Wanda Corazon Tulfo-Teo, the owner of Mt. Apo Travel and Tours and president of the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies, has been named Tourism secretary.
Teo is a sister of broadcasters Ramon, Ben, and Erwin Tulfo—who are known Duterte supporters.
Duterte’s incoming Press Secretary Salvador Panelo said there was no conflict of interest in appointing Teo, saying she could divest her share of the travel agency.
Businessman Ramon Lopez, a top executive of the RFM Corp. handling strategic planning and business development, mergers and acquisitions and cxecutive director of Go Negosyo, will serve as Trade and Industry secretary.
Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion said the appointment of Lopez signals stronger support for all entrepreneurs, especially those with micro and small enterprises.
Abella, meanwhile, is a Christian pastor in Davao and is a close friend of transition team spokesman Peter Laviña.
Laviña said that Abella will be an asset to the communications team of the Palace.
Duterte has yet to appoint his choices for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, National Anti-Poverty Commission, Presidential Legislative Liaison Office, Office of the Political Adviser, Presidential Legal Counsel, Climate Change Commission and the newly-formed Department of Information and Communications Technology.
Despite reports that Duterte had named his former professor to head the Commission on Higher Education, the president-elect’s camp said Tuesday they would respect the term of the current chief, Patricia Licuanan, which expires 2018.
Ateneo de Davao University president Joel Tabora in a blog post said Monday night that Duterte designated Jose David Lapuz, his former professor at Lyceum of the Philippines, as the new CHED chairman.
Outgoing Health Secretary Janette L. Garin welcomed Ubial’s upcoming promotion to secretary.
“I believe the continuity of the DOH programs will not be a problem,” Garin said.
The 53-year-old incoming Health chief started as a rural health practice volunteer in Kidapawan, North Cotabato and has had 26 years of experience in public health. With PNA