Palace: Appointment of defeated allies not political accommodation

President Benigno Aquino III’s spokesperson on Tuesday denied that the impending appointment of defeated allies in the Cabinet is a form of political accommodation. At a press briefing in Malacañang, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said it is only natural for a leader to appoint someone who has his same vision. "Sa paningin namin, hindi siya accommodation. Kasi unang-una, iisa po ang plataporma nila noong tumakbo sila noong 2010 so iisa po iyong isinusulong nilang reporma, iisa iyong isinusulong na agenda," Valte said. "It is only natural to seek their help kung may maii-contribute naman sila doon sa administrasyon. Hindi naman ito accommodation," she added. President Aquino has confirmed that he will be appointing to his Cabinet soon his defeated running mate, former Sen Manuel Roxas and defeated senatorial candidate, former Bukidnon Rep. Nereus Acosta. He has yet to announce the exact positions of Roxas and Acosta. On Roxas, Aquino said they have yet to finalize the administrative order creating a new position for the former senator. He said his staff is still studying the delineation of responsibilities to avoid overlap between Roxas, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr and Presidential Management Staff head Julia Abad. On the other hand, the President said Acosta will be given a Cabinet rank but with a different title. The ban on appointing defeated candidates in last year's polls to government posts lapsed on May 11. — Amita Legaspi/RSJ, GMA News