/PNA
MANILA — The Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday approved the appointment of Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año.
CA’s committee on the interior and local government chair Sonny Angara endorsed Año’s confirmation to the powerful body, saying he is a “paragon of competence and bravery.”
Angara noted that Año was the country’s 48th chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and it was under his leadership that Marawi has been liberated from terrorist influence.
“It was under General Año’s leadership that our forces bravely fought and drove away the ISIS-inspired Maute terrorists,” Angara said.
Angara downplayed claims of militarization of the government with Año’s appointment as the DILG chief, stressing that it should not be seen as a usurpation of civilian authority.
“This shouldn’t be seen as a usurpation of civilian authority but the introduction of military precision, dogged single-mindedness, and patriotic fervor into our police, public safety, and local government affairs,” Angara said.
Senator Gregorio Honasan II moved to approve the confirmation of Año. No objection was raised and the motion was approved.
Año was appointed DILG undersecretary after he reached his mandatory military retirement age of 56 on Oct. 26, 2017.
On Jan. 4, 2018, Duterte appointed him as DILG officer-in-charge, replacing Undersecretary for Peace and Order Catalino Cuy.
