"No candidate who has lost in any election shall, within, one year after such election, be appointed to any office in the Government or any government-owned or controlled corporations or in any of their subsidiaries." (Section 6, Article IX-B of the 1987 Philippine Constitution)
And
"Except for losing candidates in barangay elections, no candidate who lost in any election shall, within one (1) year after such election, be appointed to any office in the government or any government-owned or controlled corporation or their subsidiaries." (Section 9, par.(b) of the Local Government Code of 1991”
It’s already been a year after Mar Roxas is ban from any government service after his lost in May 2010’s election. Though, he remains a valued adviser and confidante of P-Noy, his running mate and his faction, Balay (refers to the official headquarters of the Aquino campaign in Cubao).
His silence after the election drew a lot of speculations and rumors on what will be his position on P-Noy’s administration. Until yesterday, June 7, 2011, finally Mar Roxas was appointed as the new Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC). With his appointment, a threatening clash within the people in Malacanang has been avoided. The sudden and unexpected resignation of former DOTC Secretary Ping de Jesus, as admitted by the President himself, gave him the most convenient way out. There had been quite legitimate concerns and speculations aired in the media when P-Noy desires to appoint Roxas to the post of chief of staff where Executive Secretary Jojo Ochoa currently holds the position. Questions had been raised on how the President will divide the duties and power of an executive secretary and a chief of staff without creating chaos, confusion and thus inaction.
Meanwhile, Ochoa is the head of the “Samar” faction which comprises of mainly lawyers and non-Liberal party groups such as “volunteers” operating a separate campaign for Aquino. It (“Samar”) is actually a street on which the borrowed house owned by Ochoa’s brother stands. The house became the informal headquarters of this faction.
Roxas will also join the economic team and I still remember he is popularly known as “Mr. Palengke” during the election campaign. His international experience in banking and finance will be of great help to uplift the economic status of our country. For sure, with his experience in government service, having served as a congressman, senator as well as part of the Cabinet will give him a lot of credibility with the business community.
With Roxas appointment, I’m sure the controversial ZTE deal and PIATCO fiasco will be reopen and investigated again. As DOTC secretary, these dubious transactions will definitely fall on his department and is he determined to have Gloria Arroyo pay for this?
“Kailangan ko ng isang tao na kaya akong sabayan sa pagtahak sa tuwid na landas. Si Mar po ang may kakayahan na magpatupad ng mga gusto nating ipatupad sa DoTC...Hiniling ko po ito sa kanya bilang isang kaibigan at bilang inyong Pangulo...Ilang beses na po siyang sinukat at siya naman po ay hindi nagkulang,” ilan sa mga papuri ni Aquino kay Roxas.”
P-Noy gave him the freedom to choose people will join him in his department since most of the DOTC Undersecretaries also resigned from their post. Roxas strongly hold his commitment to be fair all the time and he’s not afraid to fight for the truth. No one will be given special treatment under his department and all will be treated accordingly.
“If there's a new way, I'll be the first in line. But, it better work this time”. - Megadeth, Peace Sells
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