‘OFW envoy appointment an executive prerogative’
Credit to Author: Evelyn Macairan| Date: Mon, 4 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0800
MANILA, Philippines — It is President Marcos’ prerogative to appoint a special envoy for overseas Filipino concerns, according to a Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) official.
CBCP-Public Affairs Committee (PAC) executive secretary Fr. Jerome Secillano was asked for comment on the appointment of Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) executive minister Eduardo Manalo as special envoy for overseas Filipino concerns.
Secillano said he simply hoped that the interests of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) would be upheld.
“The government is at liberty to appoint anyone for a particular position,” he said.
“Whether it is because of the appointee’s expertise or for political expediency is beyond the public’s knowledge. Our primordial concern is for the appointee to sincerely uphold and protect the interests of Filipinos working overseas,” Secillano added.
Last Sept. 2, it was announced that Manalo was given a post in the Marcos administration.
Manalo was first appointed to the position by former president Rodrigo Duterte, from Jan. 30, 2018 to Jan. 29, 2019.
During the 2022 presidential race, the INC endorsed Marcos’ candidacy.
The INC is known for its bloc voting system.
Manalo is the third generation of his family to lead the INC following his father, the late Eraño and grandfather Felix.