Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang defended President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s appointment of former pro-Duterte blogger Rey Joseph “RJ” Nieto as an assistant secretary, saying political affiliation is not a consideration as long as an appointee can contribute to government and serve the public.
Nieto, better known online as “Thinking Pinoy,” was appointed assistant secretary at the Office of the Cabinet Secretary, which is headed by Benhur Abalos. His appointment paper is dated Sept. 1.
Palace press officer Claire Castro was asked whether Marcos fully trusted Nieto given his political background.
“Even before, sinabi po natin na ang pangulo po ay hindi tumitingin sa kulay. Kung kayo po ay makikitang magiging asset sa gobyerno para mas maging maganda ang serbisyo ng isang ahensya, hindi po mag-aatubili ang Pangulo na kayo ay kunin,” Castro said.
[Translation: We have said before that the president does not look at political colors. If you are seen as someone who can be an asset to the government and help improve an agency’s services, the President will not hesitate to bring you in.]
Castro said an appointee’s loyalty should ultimately be to the country and the Filipino people rather than to a political personality previously supported.
“Provided na ang puso po ninyo, kahit anong inyong kulay, dapat ay sa taumbayan at sa bansa, hindi sa isang tao o sa isang dati ninyong tinataguyod. So, dapat ang focus ay bansa at ang taumbayan,” she said.
[Translation: Whatever your political color, your heart should be for the people and the country, not for one person or someone you previously supported. The focus should be the country and the Filipino people.]
Nieto rose to prominence through his Thinking Pinoy blog and social media accounts, where he became a vocal supporter of Duterte. He previously served in government in 2017 as a consultant and head of strategic communications at the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs.
Nieto confirmed his new appointment but said he has yet to take his oath and still needs to complete several formalities before formally beginning his duties.
The Palace has yet to detail his specific responsibilities.
“Sa ngayon, wala pa pong naibibigay sa atin kung ano iyong pinakadetalye ng kanyang magiging trabaho,” Castro said.
[Translation: For now, we have not yet been given the specific details of what his work will be.]
Castro said the Office of the Cabinet Secretary is generally tasked with helping ensure government services reach Filipinos, including those in remote parts of the country.
