Albay 2nd district Rep. Joey Salceda (Rep. Salceda's office)

There are many reason why Albay 2nd district Rep. Joey Salceda thinks Rafael Jose “Joel” Consing is an "excellent fit" for the job of president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Maharlika Investment Corporation (MIC). 

In a statement Monday, Nov. 13, Salceda said that Consing possesses extensive experience in both financial management and the management of large infrastructure projects. 

"In that sense, he is an excellent fit for both the financial and the developmental functions of the [Maharlika Investment] Fund (MIF). He is the man for the job," Salceda said. 

The MIC will essentially run the MIF, which is the country’s first ever sovereign wealth fund.  

He said Consing has extensive experience in project financing, chief of which is the $398-million Project Finance for Victoria International Container Terminal. "Consing received various awards for this project deal," said the Bicolano. 

Salceda said Consing was also the chairman of at least five companies, including the Laguna Gateway Inland Container Terminal, Inc., the country’s first dry port. 

Consing will also be able to attract investments into the MIF, added the House Committee on Ways and Means chairman. 

Consing had also served as executive director at the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Investment and Economic Affairs (OPAIEA). 

"That makes him Secretary Frederick Go’s second-in-command. We worked with Secretary Go and Consing in the crafting of the amendments to the CREATE Law and the Public-Private Partnership Code," Salceda said. 

Consing also comes with an academic background in public governance, having graduated Bachelor of Arts (BA) Political Science from De La Salle University (DLSU). 

"Maharlika is at the crossroads of finance, development, and public administration. Consing has a strong background in all three areas.  For this reason, I am very confident in his appointment," Salceda said.