Palace defends appointment of ally as LTFRB chief

Malacañang defended Saturday its appointment of a political ally to head the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), saying he is likely to share its vision and direction. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte also appealed to transport groups and critics to give the appointee, lawyer Jaime Jacob, a chance to show what he can do. “Kung kaalyado yan, ordinaryo na pareho ang gusto ninyong patunguhan, pareho ang gusto ninyong magawa at suportahan ninyo [ang reporma]. So it is but natural for an ally to get appointed at doon natin makikita sa background ni Atty. Jacob, there is nothing wanting in his credentials," Valte said on government-run dzRB radio. Last Friday, President Benigno Aquino III appointed Jacob – after he was recommended by Transportation Secretary Manuel Roxas II – to head the LTFRB. Jacob replaces former LTFRB chairman Nelson Laluces who tendered his resignation last Aug. 23. He resigned his post at the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission in 2009 to support the then new tandem of Aquino and Roxas for the 2010 elections. Aquino won the presidential race but Roxas was defeated by now Vice President Jejomar Binay. Roxas was eventually appointed Transportation Secretary. In a news release posted on the government portal, Jacob said he plans to tackle problems facing the local transport industry, including “colorum" public utility vehicles (PUVs). Valte said she had heard of speculations that Jacob’s appointment was based on “utang na loob (political debt)." “I have heard the criticisms about political debts. It is easy to say that. But then again, we expect that our allies who are appointed to key positions to share our visions and direction," she said. “Bigyan natin ang pagkakataon ang mama na ipakita ang pwede niya gawin. ...Suportahan din natin para maging successful ang binabalak ng pinuno ng ahensya," she added. — LBG, GMA News