Duterte eyes another AFP general as MWSS board member

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his speech during the oath taking ceremony of the newly elected government officials of Cagayan de Oro City at the Xavier Sports and Country Club on June 12, 2019. SIMEON CELI JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte said he plans to appoint Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Salamat as board member of state regulator Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) once he retires from service.

During the 121st Philippine Navy anniversary in Sangley Point, Cavite City on Monday night, Duterte bared his plan to appoint Salamat to the MWSS who is set to retire next month.

“Hi, sir. Kailan ka mag-retire, sir? (When are you retiring) July 1? Next month. Kung papayag si (Ricardo) Dick Morales, si Dick i-move out ko sa MWSS. Ikaw ang ilagay ko (If Dick Morales agrees, I’ll move him out of the MWSS and replace him by you),” Duterte said in his speech.

Salamat is currently Armed Forces of the Philippines-Northern Luzon commander.

On May 27 this year, Duterte appointed Morales, a retired military general, as MWSS board member to serve until June 30, 2019.

Despite criticisms, Duterte explained his preference to appoint military men in government because they followed orders immediately.

“The one thing that really ails the system is bureaucracy is not fashioned, is not crafted to solve problems immediately. If you give them the project, they will debate with you.

Then it would take them eternity to do the project until the money is gone,” Duterte said.

“I decided to shift and despite and in spite of criticisms of militarization,” he added.

Duterte’s plan to appoint Salamat to the MWSS comes after he threatened to replace its officials for failing to address the water shortage in some parts of Metro Manila on March.

He also threatened to terminate contracts of two water concessionaires — Maynilad and Manila Water for their lack of preparedness to prevent the problem.