CPP-NPA will have to give up armed struggle, says Panelo

MANILA - Presumptive President Rodrigo Duterte is against the armed struggle of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), his spokesperson stressed Tuesday.

Speaking to radio dzMM, Atty. Salvador Panelo, who has been tapped by the Davao City mayor to be the next presidential spokesperson, clarified Duterte's offer of Cabinet positions to the CPP.

Duterte, in a press conference on Monday, said he is willing to concede four departments to the communist group if it accepts his offer to join his government:

• Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR),
• Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR),
• Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and
• Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Panelo clarified that Duterte is not offering the Cabinet positions solely to Jose Maria Sison himself, founder of the CPP, who has been in exile in The Netherlands since 1987.

"Not necessarily," Panelo said, when asked if Duterte would wait for the return of Sison. "Ang sinasabi lang naman ni Mayor Duterte, ang ia-appoint niya dun mga progressive-thinking individuals."

He stressed, however, that Duterte is against the group's armed resistance.

"Sabi niya (Duterte), 'Ako, progressive ako, left ako, socialist ako, iisa lang naman ang pinaglalaban namin ng nasa kaliwa. But I'm against violent means to effect the changes that they and I want...' Ayaw niya ng rebolusyon," Panelo said.

"Kaya nga precisely ino-offer niya yung mga avenues para yung mga changes na nasa isip nila magagawa nila sa pamamagitan ng pamahalaan.

"Kaya nga iniimbitahan, 'O, halika, dito na kayo sa gobyerno ko, wala na tayong dahas, ano ba ang gusto niyo?... Pero the moment lumihis kayo diyan, ay, magaaway tayo,'" he added.

He also emphasized that while the group has been offered Cabinet portfolios which are all social service-oriented, it will still be Duterte's call what programs will be implemented.

"They (CPP) will not implement what they want. They will implement what Mayor Duterte wants for this country," he said.

READ: Duterte offer to Reds draws praise, concern

BONGBONG AS DOLE SECRETARY?

Panelo, meanwhile, dismissed rumors that Duterte is also eyeing to give Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. the labor portfolio if the senator loses in the vice presidential race.

"Haka-haka lang yun," said Panelo. There are people who want him to be appointed to that position, but hindi ko pa naririnig yan within the circle of the incoming president."

The camp of Duterte has already identified several members of his administration, but some said they were still thinking about the offers.

LOOK: Duterte's Cabinet and then some

Some of those who have been named by the mayor's camp are his running mate, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, for the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) or the Department of Justice (DOJ); former North Cotabato Governor Manny Piñol for the Department of Agriculture (DA); Peter Laurel for the Department of Education (DepEd); former Immigration Chief Andrea Domingo for PAGCOR; former chief of the Department of National Defense (DND) Gilbert Teodoro for the same agency; and Carlos "Sonny" Dominguez for the Department of Finance (DOF).

Teodor has yet to accept Duterte's offer, saying he still has to consult his family. Dominguez, meanwhile, has reportedly declined.

"Parang tinanggihan ni Sonny," Panelo said. "Sa ngayon, wala (second choice), naghahanap."

As for the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Panelo said Duterte already tapped someone but that person declined because the person wants to retire already.

As for the Department of Health (DOH), Duterte is "impressed" with a businessman, Panelo said, explaining that the mayor's priority is someone who is an "administrator" and may not necessarily be a doctor.

As for the following departments, Panelo said Duterte has yet to name his prospective secretaries:

• Department of Trade and Industry (DTI),
• National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA),
• Department of Budget and Management (DBM),
• Department of Tourism (DOT),
• Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and
• Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).

INTEGRITY, COMPETENCE

According to Panelo, Duterte's search committee is still accepting applications for Cabinet positions.

They must have competence and integrity beyond reproach, he said, quoting Duterte, and must submit a paper outlining their proposed solutions to the problems the agency they want to hold is facing.

"Halimbawa, meron kang Wharton graduate na magaling supposed to be, tapos pag-submit ng paper niya, hindi niya alam kung anong diperensya ng gusto niyang pasukan at kung anong gagawin niya, kaya bakit mo pa iha-hire yun?

Panelo also defended Duterte's choice of his secretaries, who are mostly his friends and classmates.

"Wala namang masama dun," he said, explaining that the mayor wants members who are loyal and trustworthy.

"But sinabi niya rin, 'The members of the Cabinet that I appoint have to deliver within a year. Otherwise, maghihiwalay kami.' Meron siyang ganun."