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Palace defends 4 Abads in gov't


(Updated 5 p.m.) – Malacañang defended Budget Secretary Florencio "Butch" Abad and three of his family members serving in government who were criticized for supposedly wielding too much power in the Aquino administration. "They are very competent. Their qualifications will speak for themselves," said presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda at a press briefing on Monday. "All these concerns about too many Abads, it's all speculative." Over the weekend, militant lawmakers led by Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares expressed concern over how several Abads have key positions in government. Aside from Butch, other Abads in government are his wife Henedina, Batanes representative; their daughter Julia who is the Presidential Management Staff head; and their son Luis, who is the chief-of-staff of Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima. All four have significant influence over the spending of the country's budget. Mrs. Abad is rumored to be the incoming vice chairman of the powerful House Appropriations committee, which scrutinizes the budget. The PMS, meanwhile, has the control over the spending of the President's Social Fund, which is also known as the President's pork barrel. The budget chief had earlier defended his and his family's positions in government, pointing out that three of them are "casuals" who can be removed any time because they serve at the pleasure of the president. Mrs. Abad, meanwhile, was elected by her constituents in Batanes, he pointed out. "The President trusts them" Lacierda echoed the budget chief's statement, adding that they "have not been tainted with any allegation of graft and corruption." "Malaki po ang pagtitiwala ni Pangulong Aquino sa kanila kaya sila po ay hinirang (The President Aquino trusts them so they were appointed)," Lacierda added. Abad, who held the education portfolio in the Arroyo administration, was the campaign manager of Aquino's Liberal Party in the recent elections. Julia was Aquino's chief of staff in the Senate. Luis, meanwhile, graduated summa cum laude from the Ateneo de Manila University's AB Economics-Honors program in 2007. "Their credentials speak for themselves" Henedina sees nothing wrong with her family members occupying influential posts in the Aquino administration. In an interview with reporters Monday, Henedina said "We have always advocated for good governance so they can look at how they perform in the end. Their performance would also speak for themselves," she said. Asked if she would advise her children to decline offers to key positions, she said her children can decide for themselves as they are already of age. “I have brought up my children to be competent, to be honest," she added. Henedina said the challenge for their family now is to “perform better than our best ." Defending the Abads Several government officials defended the Abads. In a text message to GMANews.TV, Valenzuela Rep Rex Gatchalian said the people “have to respect the prerogative and wisdom of the appointing office." Marikina Rep. Romero Federico Quimbo said persons, if qualified, should not be prevented from assuming office solely because they have one family name. “Why should a family who has worked hard to bring up outstanding kids be penalized?" he asked. For her part, Davao City Rep. Mylene Garcia-Albano said the Abads are the kind of people the country needs in public service. "Why should their being from one family be taken against them? Let's not prejudge them on this sole basis. Performance is key here," she said. – with Amita Legaspi/ VVP, GMANews.TV
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