Domingo’s appointment hailed, brings to six in Arroyo’s family from EVisayas
By Jani Arnaiz
First posted 7:00 a.m 10/25/2009
DPWH OIC Sec. Victor Domingo at Gov. Damian Mercado's birthday.
MAASIN CITY – Top Southern Leyte officials have lauded the appointment of former Presidential Assistant for Eastern Visayas Victor Domingo into the Highways portfolio.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo designated Victor Domingo, her adviser on new government centers, as acting secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), on Thursday.
Malacañang wasted no time naming a replacement for outgoing Public Works Secretary and now presidential aspirant Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. the day after his resignation letter was made public.
Ms Arroyo’s personal choice, Domingo, 68, previously served as director of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, presidential assistant for eastern Visayas, and regional director of the Department of Trade and Industry.
According to Southern Leyte Governor Damian Mercado, Domingo’s appointment is a boost to the region and Southern Leyte in particular.
“Domingo is a personal friend and he is also a friend of Southern Leyte,” said Mercado in a text message.
Southern Leyte Gov. Damian Mercado during light moments.
“That would be good to us since we can ask him for additional projects,” said Mercado adding that he would visit the OIC secretary in his office Monday.
For his part, Southern Leyte Rep. Roger Mercado, who is the chairman on Public Works in the House, congratulated Domingo.
As presidential assistant for Eastern Visayas, Domingo, who was in Tacloban when told of his appointment, never failed to come to the province for official functions or birthdays of top executives.
Domingo is the third member in Arroyo’s cabinet who hails from the region. The other two are Secs. Gabriel Claudio, political adviser, and Marcelino Libanan of Immigration.
Other appointees Arroyo from Eastern Visayas are Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Nachura and Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone, adviser on LGUs.
To include Rep. Mercado as House chairman on Public Works, Domingo’s appointment bring to six who are in Pres. Arroyo’s official family from Leyte and Samar.
A toast to the new Secretary!
Congratulations, sir!