Albay Rep. Joey Salceda flaunted his impressive credentials as he downplayed speculation that he will soon replace Benjamin Diokno as Finance Secretary.
Bilyonaryo reported that Salceda is one of those shortlisted by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for the finance chief position since Diokno doesn’t reportedly seem like the guy who could “maneuver our way out of rising inflation and falling peso.”
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In response to Bilyonaryo’s article, Salceda cryptically said: “Do not covet thy neighbor’s job.”
“In past administrations, as in the present, I was able to move fiscal policy from my seat in Congress,” he added.
The chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee called Diokno a “good friend,” but didn’t deny he’s being considered by the President as replacement for the long-time technocrat.
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“Sec. Ben is a good friend and as long as he’s SOF, I will work closely with him. The President ultimately makes the decisions on appointments. The Cabinet, after all, is his official family,” the lawmaker added, stressing that any talk about his possible Cabinet appointment is “pointless speculation” for now.
Salceda then flexed his credentials — all while remaining a politiko and not a Cabinet member.
“From the fiscal reforms of 2003-2006, to the economic reforms during the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, to the Duterte-era CTRP, up to the present, I have worked with the Secretary of Finance, not as the Secretary of Finance,” he added.
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Apart from Salceda, losing Senate bet Gibo Teodoro and former Senator Mar Roxas are reportedly being eyed by Marcos Jr. as the next Finance secretary.
Diokno’s protege, Lilia Guillermo, was recently replaced as Bureau of Internal Revenue commissioner in favor of Marcos Jr’s godson, tax lawyer Romeo Lumagui, Jr.
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