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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos may be 'on the way' to choose a DA chief, Bersamin bares

Marcos may be 'on the way' to choose a DA chief, Bersamin bares

Published Sep 28, 2023 02:45 pm

President Marcos may be "on the way" to choose a new Agriculture secretary, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin bared.

Bersamin attends first Cabinet meeting as 'Little President
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin is seated beside President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the 9th Cabinet meeting in Malacañan Palace. (Office of the President)

Bersamin revealed that Marcos might have a shortlist of prospects for the position he is currently handling in a concurrent capacity as he was always aware of the need for a "regular" Agriculture chief.

"Wala pa akong balita kung meron na siyang napupusuan (I have no news yet if he is already eyeing someone) but he is, I think, on the way to that," Bersamin said in an interview on "Tune in Kay Tunying" on Thursday, Sept. 28.

"Because he cannot also leave this into the hands of people na hindi naman sila makapag-decide kagaya ng regular na Secretary (who cannot make decisions as a regular Secretary)," he added.

The Executive Secretary said Marcos must be taking his time in choosing the right person to lead the Department of Agriculture (DA) considering the many problems and issues the agriculture sector is facing now.

While he said that he does not want to second guess the President, Bersamin believes Marcos may have a list of names he thinks are suited for the job.

"Matagal na niyang iniisip 'yan. Ang kasing natatanggap niyang payo, marami ring nagsasabi sa kanya na maganda kung siya dahil sa dami ng problema diyan sa agrikultura (He has been thinking about that. It's just that the advice he has been receiving says that it's better if he keeps the position because of the many problems in agriculture)," Bersamin explained.  

"Kailangan talagang Presidente ang humawak nun sa ngayon sa kalagitnaan ng mga issues na ito, kailangan mas malaking authority kagaya niya (The President must indeed be the one handling that in the middle of issues now, we need someone with higher authority like him there)," he added.

These were actually the words of the President whenever he is asked about appointing a full-time secretary in the department, emphasizing that the issues in the agriculture sector are “so difficult that it will take a president to change and turn it around.”

Bersamin said there are also those who advise the President to appoint a regular Agriculture chief so he can concentrate on other pressing national concerns, but he thinks staying as the DA chief weighs more to Marcos.

Related Tags

Bongbong Marcos DA SECRETARY Lucas Bersamin President Marcos
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