Cayetano, 5 Cabinet members eye 2019 polls

“Alan Peter Cayetano is also running,” Duterte said after administering oath of Malacañang Press Corps officers at Malacañang Palace. (PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.)

MANILA – Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano and five other Cabinet officials are seeking local and national posts in next year’s midterm elections, President Rodrigo R. Duterte said on Tuesday.

“Alan Peter Cayetano is also running,” Duterte said after administering oath of Malacañang Press Corps officers at Malacañang Palace.

Duterte said Cayetano might run for congressman in his hometown in Taguig City.

He also named Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Political Adviser Francis Tolentino, Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary John Castriciones, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General Guiling Mamondiong as other Cabinet members who may be vacating their posts.

“I’m sure there will be guys running. Castriciones, (of) DAR and Harry Roque, I think is really running,” Duterte said.

Duterte said should his top aide decide to run as senator, he would want a woman to replace him.

He described Tolentino as “under-appreciated government worker”, “good administrator” and is smart but not boastful.