President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III on Wednesday disclosed the names of new appointees who will head the Social Security System, Sugar Regulatory Administration and the Commission on Human Rights.
Aquino named former Ayala Life Assurance, Inc. president Emilio de Quiros Jr. as the replacement of controversial Social Security System (SSS) president Romulo Neri.
At a press briefing in Malacañang, Aquino said he signed last Tuesday the appointment papers of De Quiros, brother of Philippine Daily Inquirer columnist Conrado de Quiros.
Conrado was one of Aquino's staunchest supporters during the presidential campaign. Aquino, however, denied that the new SSS president's appointment had anything to do with the columnist.
"His being the brother of Conrad de Quiros is not relevant to his appointment as SSS [president]. Si Conrad de Quiros kasi he's not a business columnist, I wouldn't ask his advice with regards to this," said Aquino.
Aquino said he also signed on Tuesday the appointment of Gina Bautista Martin as the new Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) administrator.
Martin is a "small sugar planter" from Negros Occidental, who Aquino has known for a "very very long time."
In the interest of transparency, Aquino disclosed that one of his cousins-in-law is Martin's sibling.
The President, however, said he appointed Martin because of her "very extensive" credentials in the industry.
"She brings to the SRA the view points of the small sugar planters," he said.
Etta as CHR chief
Also, the President confirmed that former Akbayan Rep. Loretta Ann "Etta" Rosales will be the new chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).
"I'm awaiting the papers reaching my office," he said.
Rosales, who was congresswoman from 1998 to 2007, led human rights victims who won a class suit against the late President Ferdinand Marcos in the Hawaii District Court of the United States. The court found Marcos guilty of human rights violations and ordered him to pay the victims US $1.9 billion in damages.
In a statement sent soon after Aquino confirmed his choice for the CHR, Rosales said she will "make sure that the Commission under [her] stewardship will not be beholden to any politician or any group, but only to the universal principles of human rights."
"I will prioritize major human rights issues – extrajudicial killings, involuntary disappearances, and police brutality," she said.
Rosales said she will take a leave from Akbayan once her appointment is made formal.
Rosales' critics earlier scored Aquino when rumors spread about the CHR appointment.
Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño accused the former lawmaker of being "impartial and biased" against the left-leaning organizations.
“She was heavily involved in the conflicts that cracked the human rights community in the past as well as now," Casiño had said.
Although brushing off the criticisms against her, Rosales vowed to champion human rights of members of the marginalized sector, regardless of their affiliations.
"I will not dignify [my critics]... Pero huwag silang matakot sa akin. Kung may nasasaktan sa kanila, ibibigay ko ang panahon ko at pansin ko sa kanila," Rosales told GMANews.TV in an interview. — with a report from Mark Merueñas/LBG/RSJ
