Neric Acosta joins board of Laguna Lake Devt Authority

UPDATED 1:30 p.m. - Aside from being President Benigno Aquino III’s adviser for environmental protection, Nereus "Neric" Acosta is also now an acting board member of the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA). Malacañang announced Acosta's appointment after the resignation of LLDA General Manager (GM) Rodrigo Cabrera. At a press briefing at the Palace on Friday, Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said, “Nagresign na si GM Rodrigo Cabrera of LLDA and he will be replaced. The President has signed the appointment letter of Secretary Neric Acosta as acting member of the board of directors of the LLDA." Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. accepted the resignation letter of Cabrera on August 17. The resignation took effect on the same day. Valte said Ochoa "did not say anything as to the reasons of Mr. Cabrera why he tendered his resignation." Nomination for new GM With Cabrera’s resignation, Valte said the LLDA, being a government owned and controlled corporation, will have to nominate its new general manager. Asked if Malacanang will be endorsing Acosta to the post, Valte said there is no endorsement yet. “It’s an acting appointment, it’s an appointment in his favor as a member of the board of directors, so we will have to see how the board will react," she said. She said Acosta was appointed to LLDA because it is part of his work. “(Acosta’s job) goes mainly into environmental protection, so at least he can sit on the board and also since ang LLDA naman is usually also for environmental protection," Valte said. “(As a presidential adviser) he will encompass all environmental protection aspects even in other departments," she added. Accusations of extortion In June, Ochoa issued a show-cause order against Cabrare and two other LLDA officials and ordered them to explain the extortion accusations hurled against them by fish pen owner Dr. Charlie Tan. During that time, Cabrera took a 60-day leave from office to give the Office of the President "a free hand in the conduct of a fair and unprejudiced investigation." Last week, Aquino appointed Acosta, a defeated senatorial bet, as his adviser. The post given to Acosta has a Cabinet rank. Acosta, who ran under Aquino’s Liberal Party last year, was the former representative of Bukidnon at the House of Representatives. Aquino was also a congressman before he was elected senator in 2007. The ban on appointing defeated candidates in last year's polls to government posts lapsed on May 11. The first among the defeated LP members to be appointed to the Aquino administration was Manuel Roxas II, who was named secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communication. There were reports that another defeated senatorial candidate, former Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon, was tapped to replace Customs Commissioner Angelito Alvarez. The President and Biazon refused to confirm the said reports. - VVP, GMA News