Duterte taps INC’s executive minister as his special envoy for overseas Filipino concerns

February 14, 2018

President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Eduardo Villanueva Manalo, executive minister of religious Iglesia ni Cristo, as his special envoy for overseas Filipino concerns.

Malacanang released on Wednesday a copy of Villanueva's appointment paper, which was signed on February 13.

"Pursuant to the provisions of existing laws, you are hereby designated special envoy of the President for overseas Filipinos concerns, from 30 January 2018 to 29 January 2019," the appointment paper read.

INC, known for voting as a bloc during elections and reportedly has over two million members, supported Duterte's presidential bid and former Senator Ferdinand Marcos' vice presidential bid in the May 2016 polls.

Duterte also named Herman Billones Jumilla as undersecretary of the Department of Budget and Management, replacing Gertrudo de Leon.

Duterte also appointed new directors at the Department of Interior and Local Government and prosecutors under the Department of Justice. Celerina Monte/DMS