Legarda on DSWD post: ‘Can I say that I am thinking about it?’

FILE: Senator Loren Legarda (Photo: Loren Legarda/Facebook)

Senator Loren Legarda chose to dodge questions and beat around the bush on the topic of accepting a cabinet post from the President.

Talks have been circulating that a certain female senator will be named as the next Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) secretary, after the Commission on Appointments (CA) rejected Judy Taguiwalo.

ANC pressed Legarda on the issue through an interview on Monday, with the female Senator pausing, smiling, then replying, “Can I say that I am thinking about it?”

Legarda was asked for confirmation that she was indeed offered the post, but she chose to attack a different angle.

“I am not certain whether I am allowed to comment on that on national television, but my being mum about it would probably… spill the beans,” she said.

“Let me just say that I would want to exercise very strong oversight functions over a department that is very important, that takes care of the needs of the people,” Legarda added.

Again pressed if she was open to the position, Legarda dodged the question by saying, “Just like I do oversight functions with all other government departments… but this is a very important department that should take care of the poorest and the most vulnerable populations like what is happening now with Urduja.”

The Senator was referring to the casualties caused by Tropical Depression Urduja.

Legarda did not answer directly if President Rodrigo Duterte indeed offered her the DSWD post.

“All I can say is that I really appreciate the opportunity to be able to serve as a chair of finance, and I think that the President hopefully appreciates the work we do, not just myself but the whole Senate. And I hope to continue and finish the 2019 budget which is a year from now. Let’s take it from there,” she said.

In August, Duterte told reporters in a dinner that he hinted an informal offer to a female senator even before the CA rejected Taguiwalo.