Duterte names Bistoyong as OIC at DAR

September 11, 2017

President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Undersecretary Rosalina L. Bistoyong as the Officer-in-Charge of the Department of Agrarian Reform.

In a press briefing on Monday, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said Bistoyong's designation as OIC of the DAR took effect on September 8.

"OIC Bistoyong’s designation will ensure the continuous delivery of public service,” he said. Bistoyong graduated from the University of Santo Tomas in 1974.

The Commission on Appointments rejected the appointment of Rafael Mariano, a left-leaning individual, as secretary of DAR.

Mariano was the fourth Cabinet nominee of Duterte rejected by the CA.

Other nominees who failed to get the CA nod were Perfecto Yasay as secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Regina Lopez as secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Judy Taguiwalo as secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Like Taguiwalo, Mariano's supposed appointment to the Cabinet was endorsed by the communist rebels. Celerina Monte/DMS