Left-leaning gov’t officials stay: Roque

From the Malaya Business Insight (Nov 28): Left-leaning gov’t officials stay: Roque

PRESIDENTIAL spokesman Harry Roque yesterday said left-leaning officials  remain in their posts despite the order of President Duterte to terminate the peace negotiations with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines (CPP-NPA-NDFP).

“For as long as they are remaining in their posts, they enjoy the trust and confidence of the President. When they go, then obviously the President had ceased to have trust and confidence in them. All presidential appointees hold office at the pleasure of the President,” Roque said.

Among the known left-leaning Duterte appointees are National Anti-Poverty Commission lead convenor Liza Maza, Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor chairman Terry Ridon and Labor Undersecretary Joel Maglunsod.

Maza and Ridon were partylist representatives of Gabriela Women’s Party and the Kabataan Partylist, respectively, while Maglunsod was a member of Anakpawis before joining the Duterte administration.

The President also previously appointed Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo and former Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano, but their appointments were rejected by the Commission on Appointments.

Duterte last week terminated the peace talks with the communist rebels following their continued attacks against government troops. He later mentioned that the communists wanted a coalition government with his administration, which he said he does not agree with.

Roque reiterated that formal talks with CPP-NPA-NDFP are terminated “permanent(ly) for now.”

“But we can never tell. Because remember, the Senate also said that they will be a bridge to back-door negotiations. But for now, it is closed. The door has been closed, until the NPA has shown sincerity that it really is desiring long-term peace,” he said.

He added that the decision of the national government, however, does not prevent local government units from pursuing “localized” talks similar to what Davao City Mayor and presidential daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio is doing.

Carpio, prior to the termination of talks, had said she wanted to pursue negotiations at the local level.

Roque reiterated that the President has always maintained close relations with the Reds when he was still Davao City mayor, and had even walked the extra mile to pursue peace with them after becoming president.

He said Duterte “feels betrayed” after the NPA continued its attacks despite ongoing peace efforts. He said the attacks show insincerity and are an act of betrayal and treachery.

Roque said Duterte is aware of the problems that the left is fighting for, and the administration is trying its best to address them.

 He also branded as foul the Reds’ tagging of Duterte as a “political swindler.”

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/left-leaning-gov%E2%80%99t-officials-stay-roque