Duterte reappoints fired PCUP commissioner Manuel Serra to another post

President Rodrigo Duterte gave sacked Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) commissioner Manuel Serra Jr. another shot to the government as he reappointed him to another post on Thursday, June 7. (Photo: PCUP)

President Rodrigo Duterte gave sacked Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) commissioner Manuel Serra Jr. another shot in government service as he reappointed him to another post on Thursday, June 7.

According to the appointment paper released by the Palace today, Serra, one of the PCUP executives fired by Duterte on December 2017, was named by the President as a member of the Philippine Coconut Authority governing board.

The Philippine Coconut Authority is the sole government agency “tasked to develop the industry to its full potential in line with the new vision of a united, globally competitive and efficient coconut industry.”

The former PCUP commissioner will serve Abundio Edicio Dela Torre’s term, which is set to end on June 30.

Serra was fired along with PCUP chairman Terry Ridon, and commissioners Joan Lagunda, Noe Indonto, and Melissa Avanceña Aradanas, who is the cousin of Duterte’s common law partner Honeylet Avanceña.

The five PCUP officials were axed over alleged junkets and failure to hold meetings.

Serra is not the only dismissed official who has been given a new position in the government.

Duterte earlier reappointed former Social Security System (SSS) commissioner Jose Gabriel “Pompee” La Viña as undersecretary of the Department of Tourism (DOT), and just yesterday, June 6, the President transferred him to the Department of Agriculture (DA). La Viña was sacked due to corruption allegations.

Last March, the Chief Executive also named Serra’s former colleague in the PCUP, Aradanas, as deputy commissioner at the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council.

Opposition Senator Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV previously slammed the President for ‘recycling’ officials reportedly involved in anomalies in the government.

The Palace, however, defended Duterte’s supposed habit of reappointing officials, saying, “It’s political season obviously. Expect more statements like these especially for those seeking reelection.”

“But as far as the President is concerned he has fired more than 20 all of whom are very close to him,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said earlier in a press conference.