Inspired choices

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor CHERYL CRUZ Desk Editor PATRICK PANGILINAN Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

The whole country must have sighed with relief at the announcement that President Benigno Aquino had named the men to head the two very important departments of the government after the sudden demise of one of his accomplished and effective secretaries.

Yesterday, the President informed the country that he had appointed former senator and, until lately, Transportation and Communication secretary Mar Roxas to take over the post left vacant by the death of Jesse Robredo. At the same time, he also announced the naming of Congressman Joseph Emilio Abaya as secretary of the DOTC, the office formerly held by Roxas.

The Department of Interior and Local Governments that Robredo was heading, had been slowly shaking off the reputation it used to have of being a slow-moving and red tape-entangled office, and was emerging into a dynamic and forward-looking government agency. With the sudden death of Robredo, a sense of helplessness had descended on the people, who had realized what a treasure of a government official they had in him.

We cannot expect Roxas to be a clone of his predecessor, but he has his own work system that he had already demonstrated at the DOTC. Also, he is one official whose record has remained unblemished all these years. He should be the best person to continue the worthwhile programs of Robredo and institute some of his own.

As for Abaya, he also comes well prepared for the task, with his academic background and experience. A lawyer, as well as an engineer, he is also a graduate of the United States Naval Academy. Those, and his record as a member of the House of Representatives, should serve him well in the DOTC, where his functions require a great variety of specializations.

We congratulate the President for his wise and inspired choices, and wish his two new appointees the best of luck in their new job.*