Duterte visits Espenilla’s wake

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte pays his last respects to the late Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. at the Heritage Park in Taguig City on February 26, 2019. RICHARD MADELO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Tuesday visited family members of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. who passed away on February 23.

Duterte paid his last respects to Espenilla at the Arlington Chapel at Aeternum, Heritage Park, according to a statement from Malacañang.

No further details were given about Duterte’s visit.

Earlier, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said he expects continuity of the work in the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) amid the leadership change following Espenilla’s demise.

Although President Rodrigo R. Duterte has yet to announce Epenilla’s replacement, Panelo said the Chief Executive is looking for integrity and competence as qualifications for the next BSP chief.

Duterte appointed Espenilla as BSP Governor in July 2017.

Prior to being BSP governor, he was Deputy Governor in charge of the Supervision and Examination Sector, which supervises banks and non-bank financial institutions under BSP jurisdiction.

Deputy Governor Maria Almasara Cyd Tuaño-Amador was designated as BSP officer-in-charge as Duterte has yet to appoint Espenilla’s successor.