President Rodrigo Duterte’s favorite singer, Freddie Aguilar, confirmed he was appointed chairman of the National Commission on Culture and the Arts, the latest among show business supporters of the candidacy of the former Davao mayor to get plum positions in his government.
In a television interview, Aguilar said that Duterte’s executive assistant Christopher “Bong” Go, offered him the post after the singer known globally for his song “Anak” requested the President to create a department of culture and the arts.
However, current NCCA Chairman Felipe de Leon said Aguilar cannot be appointed chairman under Republic Act 7356, which provides that the chairman be elected by the NCCA commissioners.
Newsmen tested the new NCCA chairman’s mettle by asking him how the government should resolve the Torre de Manila controversy. The building is the butt of criticism in the media and on the internet for being a photobomber for visitors taking pictures in front of the Rizal monument in Luneta.
“If I had my way, I would change the places of the Rizal monument and the carabao-tamaraw statues. It’s that simple,” Aguilar said in the vernacular in a television interview over TV5 on Friday.
“I would make Rizal face us instead of the sea,” he added.
The NCCA had issued an order calling on DM Consunji Inc. to stop the construction of Torre de Manila.
Singer Jimmy Bondoc, another Duterte appointee, defended his appointment as assistant vice president for entertainment of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor).
“I have already begun working. It’s a 9 a.m.-6 p.m. job, and I have begun to learn the ropes,” Bondoc said in a recent Twitter post.
”I don’t mind people questioning the credentials of some of us appointees. I know that’s part of life. However, entertainment is God’s gift to me. I know it through and through, but I am also willing to learn much more these coming years. Pagcor has accepted me. I hope you will accept me, too in my new endeavor,” he said.
Prior to Bondoc, comedian Arnell Ignacio was also appointed as Pagcor AVP for community relations and services.
Bondoc and Ignacio were among the celebrities who campaigned for Duterte in the elections.
Musician and businessman Ramon “RJ” Jacinto has also been named presidential adviser on Economic Affairs and Information Technology Communications with the rank of Undersecretary, while travel show host Katherine “Kat” De Castro, daughter of former Vice President Noli De Castro, was designated Tourism undersecretary for tourism advocacy and public affairs.