Concerns raised over Cabinet members' business ties

 A partylist representative on Monday expressed concern over President Benigno Simeon Aquino III’s choice of Cabinet members.

"We can only hope…that the appointees will not allow themselves to be instruments of big business in plundering the national coffers and the economy," Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño said in a text message.

He noted that Transportation and Communications Secretary Jose de Jesus used to be the president and chief operating officer of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) while Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras was a former president of Manila Water Co. Inc. and a long-time executive of Ayala Corporation.

Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson was a former president of Maynilad Water Services Inc. (MWSI) and director of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC). He is also the concurrent chairman of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System.

"This is definitely a matter of concern considering that these business interests are known supporters and funders of Aquino’s presidential campaign," Casiño said.

Meralco and Maynilad Water used to be controlled by the Lopez family.

But now, Meralco is controlled by Manuel V. Pangilinan, holding an estimated 40 percent of the electric company through various firms that he runs, including the MPIC and the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT), the country’s largest and leading telecommunications company.

Pangilinan also has interests in Maynilad, which is run by a joint venture between MPIC and publicly-listed company DMCI.

Quezon Rep Erin Tanada, Liberal Party spokesperson, said the appointed Cabinet members should be given a chance to prove their worth.

"We have full faith and confidence on the choices of PNoy in the different departments. I don't think that it is fair to judge them just because they used to work for regulated companies. They are professionals and they should be allowed to prove their worth before any person may pass judgment on them," he said in a text message to GMANews.TV. - Amita O. Legaspi, RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV


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