AO clarifying Mar Roxas' role in govt in the works — Lacierda

An administrative order defining the role of former Senator Manuel “Mar" Roxas II, a defeated vice presidential candidate, in the Aquino administration is now in the works, Malacañang said on Monday. “I think the President will make sure that the roles are defined so there will be no overlapping, and that is the important thing, that the Cabinet will work together as one," said presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda at a press briefing. Lacierda said Roxas, Aquino’s running-mate in last year’s elections, will be given “very demanding" and “more sensitive" tasks like attending functions on behalf of President Benigno Aquino III in case the chief executive is busy with other duties. “Definitely Senator Mar Roxas will be an asset to the government…Definitely, we look forward to his presence in government," he said. Interviewed over the weekend in Jakarta where he attended the 18th summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Aquino said among Roxas’ tasks would be to coordinate with government officials involved in policy-making. Lacierda, on Monday, said the AO being drafted aims to ensure that Roxas' role will not overlap with those of other officials, noting that Presidential Management Staff director general Julia Abad and Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. both handle functions that could be done by the chief of staff. He said the position of the chief of staff must be clarified to see if it has a budget and plantilla. - KBK, GMA News