Palace: VP Binay named presidential adviser on OFW concerns

Vice-President Jejomar Binay has been appointed by President Benigno Aquino III as his adviser on overseas Filipino worker (OFW) concerns, Malacañang said Saturday. Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a text message that the office of Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. has already confirmed Binay’s appointment to the advisory post. The same post was held by former Vice President Noli de Castro during the previous administration. Aside from being presidential adviser on OFW concerns, Binay also serves as chairperson of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), a presidential appointment he accepted shortly after he assumed the vice presidency. (See: Binay accepts Aquino’s offer to become housing chairman) The Commission on Elections (Comelec) approved last month a request from Malacañang for some exemptions to the appointment ban being imposed because of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls on October 25. (See: Comelec OKs Palace request for exemptions to appointment ban)—Andreo C. Calonzo/JV, GMANews.TV