The Palace on Monday named Marcelino Escalada Jr. as the new secretary-general of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, replacing Falconi Millar, who was sacked after he was accused of extortion.
Before his appointment, Escalada was acting general manager of the National Housing Authority.
As HUDCC secretary-general, he will also take charge of the Marawi rehabilitation project.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said Millar was removed after a company, to which HUDCC owes money, accused him of demanding money in exchange for the release of the payment.
Panelo said an investigation ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte showed that the allegation was “valid.”
“There was a complaint. There was a sworn statement and the President ordered its investigation. And there was a credible basis that validated the complaint,” Panelo said in a Palace press briefing Monday.
He said the complaint came from a representative of the company that had receivables from HUDCC.
“According to that sworn statement, the complainant was asked to give money for its release. It happened to him twice, but the affiant refused. Instead of giving, he executed an affidavit, he filed a complaint,” Panelo said, adding he could not identify the company of the specifics of the project it was undertaking with the HUDCC.
Asked if the government would support the filing of charges against Millar, Panelo said yes.
“Definitely, we will. That’s the policy of the government [against corruption],” he added.
On Thursday, the President, who admitted that he is having a “hard time” combatting corruption in his administration, said he dismissed Millar because of corruption.
Millar denied the allegations against him, and labeled the complaint “an obvious demolition job.”
“In protecting the interest of the government, I have annoyed some personalities. I filed my resignation this morning. It is the government’s loss, not mine,” Millar said in a statement.
The Palace assured the public that the rehabilitation efforts in Marawi City would still continue despite Millar’s dismissal as HUDCC chief and the head of Task Force Bangon Marawi.
In March 2017, Duterte said Escalada tried to resign because of intrigues in the NHA. The President, however, convinced him to stay.
Prior to his appointment to the NHA, Escalada served as administrator of Davao City where Duterte served as mayor for multiple terms. He also served as City Planning and Development Office, City Cooperative and Development Office and Special Projects in a concurrent capacity
He also held three positions at the University of Mindanao as a college instructor, training officer, and personnel officer two decades ago.
Escalada has a doctoral degree in Human Resource Management, a master’s degree in Public Administration Major in Organizational Studies, and an AB Classical Majors in English and Philosophy.