PRESIDENT Duterte appointed two new Cabinet members to replace government officials who will be running in the 2022 polls.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque confirmed on Wednesday that Southern Leyte Representative Roger Gaviola Mercado was named the new acting secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Mercado replaced former Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, who resigned to join the 2022 senatorial race.
Meanwhile, the President also promoted Romando Artes as the new general manager of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). Prior to his new assignment, Artes served as MMDA Assistant General Manager for Finance and Administration.
Jose Arturo “Jojo” Garcia, the previous general manager of MMDA, also vacated his post to run as congressman in the 2022 elections.
Roque said they welcomed the addition of Mercado and Artes in the Cabinet.
“We are confident that Secretary Mercado and General Manager Artes will continue to oversee the completion of their department’s programs and projects in the remaining months of the current government,” Roque said.
“We wish Sec. Mercado and GM Artes all the best in their new assignments,” he added.