Ebdane names replacement of slain DPWH usec

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Public Works and Highways has replaced undersecretary for Luzon operations Ramon Padua Aquino who died at a hospital on March 19 after he was shot by an unidentified man at the DPWH compound in Manila. A Palace statement quoted DPWH Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. as saying that undersecretary for Mindanao Romeo Momo would take the post vacated by Aquino. Momo was also appointed as Ebdane's chief of staff. Momo's position as undersecretary for Mindanao operations will go to Undersecretary for Support Services Bashir Rasuman. Rasuman's position will go to DPWH Assistant Secretary for Support Services Jaime Pacanan, while Assistant Secretary for Technical Services Raul Asis will take charge of World Bank projects, according to Ebdane. "The death of Aquino is a big loss to the department. He was one fellow who actually sacrificed his family for the sake of his work," Ebdane said. A task force is looking into Aquino's death "We are conducting our own silent investigation," Ebdane said. - GMANews.TV