MACEDA: ALMENDRAS APPOINTMENT TO CLIP OCHOA POWERS

Statement of former Senate President and former Executive Secretary Ernesto Maceda on the Appointment of Secretary to the Cabinet Rene Almendras

Former Senate President Ernesto Maceda today warned Executive Secretary Jojo Ochoa to beware of becoming irrelevant, following the appointment of Secretary to the Cabinet Rene Almendras. 

 

He said that Palace Deputy Spokesperson Abigail Valte does not know what she is talking about when she said that Ochoa's powers will not be clipped. "That (Ochoa's powers will not be clipped) is not true. The job description for Almendras' post is definitely transferring powers and authority from the Executive Secretary to Sec. Almendras. The main job of Sec. Almendras is to oversee the implementation of the president’s projects. In that role, Sec. Almendras becomes the deputy president," Maceda explained. 

Maceda added that Executive Order 99 signed on October 31 even gives Sec. Almendras the authority to realign targets; as well as the power to implement the president’s 16 point agenda and the Philippine Development Plan (PPP).  "Almendras will hold office in Malacanang and will report directly to the president. With his reduced responsibilities, Exec. Sec. Ochoa becomes literally only the little president," Maceda added. 

Nevertheless, Maceda believes that the appointment of Almendras is a good move on the part of PNoy. "As a former executive secretary I can tell you that the job of an executive secretary is too big for one man. I used to work at least 18 hours a day to do the work usually ending past midnight in Malacañang." Maceda was Executive Secretary of former President Ferdinand Marcos.

Maceda noted that decision-making by the president may become faster now that Almendras has been appointed, because of Almendras' closeness to PNoy. "On a personal basis, Almendras is closer to the president than Ochoa," Maceda observed. "Their friendship dates back to college days at the Ateneo de Manila. With his closeness to the president, Almendras can expand his powers easily. Hopefully, with Almendras as facilitator, decisions in Malacanang will move faster."

Maceda also believes that Almendras is more qualified that Ochoa to be a senior adviser to the president. "Almendras has the advantage of being an experienced corporate manager. He is more qualified than Ochoa to be the president's senior adviser with a wider perspective," Maceda said.