No overlapping of roles with Acosta appointment — Palace

Malacañang assured the public on Thursday that there will be no overlapping of functions between the Commission on Climate Change, under Environment Secretary Ramon Paje, and newly-appointed Presidential Adviser for Environmental Protection Nereus Acosta. “I think both of them will discuss their roles. Remember the role of a Cabinet Secretary is line agency siya eh, so may [hinahawakan] ‘yan. The presidential adviser is more towards advising or [the] suggestion of policies," presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said at a press briefing. “So I don’t think there will be an overlapping, in fact, they will help each other on that point," he added. He also pointed out that Acosta is friends with Presidential Assistant for Climate Change Elisea Gozon. “They have the same [advocacies] so there won’t be any problem with them having their positions." Cases pending at Sandiganbayan Asked whether President Benigno Aquino III had taken into consideration the cases filed against Acosta, Lacierda said the President believes Acosta will be able to defend himself. “We believe that walang bearing ‘yun," he said. “That’s the reason why in-appoint siya. Na may sapat na depensa po si Neric Acosta doon sa kaso niya sa Sandiganbayan." Acosta had earlier claimed that the charges filed against him were politically motivated. “Alam niyo naman po yung kaso natin dito sa Pilipinas, naabutan ng siyam-siyam baka by that time [na tapos na ang kaso] tapos na ‘yung administrasyon ni Pangulong Aquino. Sayang naman po ang galing at talino ni Neric Acosta," Lacierda said. On another issue, Lacierda belied reports that defeated senatorial candidate Risa Hontiveros will be named to head the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration. He said Hontiveros was clueless about the supposed appointment. “I was in a meeting with her yesterday so she is not even aware of that news," he said. “Ang sabi nga niya hindi pa siya naa-approach at all. So ‘yun ang categorical statement niya." Both Acosta and Hontiveros ran under Aquino’s Liberal Party in the May 2010 elections. — MRT/KBK, GMA News