Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 7) — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has picked the daughter of former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and the country’s former defense chief to lead two government agencies.
Diorella “Lala” Sotto-Antonio took her oath of office on Thursday in Malacañang as the new chairperson of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), succeeding Atty. Jeremiah Jaro.
Meanwhile, ex-Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana is taking the helm of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) as the chairman of its board of directors. He replaces officer-in-charge Atty. Aristotle Batuhan.
In separate statements, Sotto-Antonio and her father thanked Marcos for his trust, with Tito Sotto vouching for her capability to take on the role.
Sotto-Antonio served as Quezon City councilor for 18 years. She ran in the recent elections as the second nominee of AGAP Party-list, which represents farmers, but the group only won one seat in the 19th Congress.
“I believe she will do well given her background,” the former Senate President said. “Besides, she has two excellent women former chairpersons to emulate, Sen. Grace Poe and Congresswoman Rachel Arenas.”
The Department of National Defense (DND) meanwhile said it is confident Lorenzana will help forge stronger collaboration between the BCDA and the armed forces, as well as further achieve the “development of vibrant economic hubs and communities in different parts of the country.”
The BCDA is in charge of transforming former military bases into mixed-use communities.
According to the Office of the Press Secretary, the following also took their oath before the President on Thursday:
– Cesar Chavez – Undersecretary, Department of Transportation
– Emerald Ridao – Undersecretary, Office of the Press Secretary
– Franz Imperial – Undersecretary, Office of the President
– Honey Rose Mercado – Undersecretary, Presidential Management Staff
– Jose Calida – Commissioner, Commission on Audit
– Bianca Cristina Cardenas Zobel – Social Secretary
– Gerald Baria – Undersecretary, Office of the President
