Palace defends Cabinet men

Nothing is irregular with the presence of some cabinet members in President Aquino’s recent engagement in Cebu that promoted the presidential bid of Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, as far as Malacañang is concerned.

Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. defended that these cabinet members were just doing their jobs in accompanying the President in his recent provincial visit.

“Mayroon pong konsepto diyan, ‘yung konsepto ng alter ego of the President [There is a concept called the alter ego of the President],” Coloma started to explain.

“Lahat naman po kami ay naglilingkod para sa Pangulo, at kapag mayroong official functions ang Pangulo, makatuwiran na naroroon din ang mga miyembro ng Gabinete para maging saksi sa kanyang mga official action at para makapag-render din ng suporta,” he added.

He said cabinet members usually travel to the provinces to coordinate with local government officials as well as officers of regional offices on government projects and other concerns.

Coloma made the remarks after several cabinet members joined the President in the “gathering of friends,” the administration’s show of force for Roxas, in Cebu City last Monday.

Three potential senatorial candidates, namely Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chair Francis Tolentino, and PhilHealth director Risa Hontiveros, were given the opportunity to address the crowd.