Duterte appoints PDEA’s Aquino as Clark Airport Head
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea confirmed this through a text message after it was announced that Wilkins Villanueva has been named as the new PDEA director-general on Tuesday.
“Appointed as Member, Board of Directors, Clark International Airport Corporation. Date of appointment is 22 May 2020 with nomination as President and CEO of CIAC,” he said Wednesday.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque likewise confirmed Aquino’s new appointment.
In an interview with ANC, Roque said Aquino was not sacked due to loss of trust and confidence but was moved to another government office.
“Aaron Aquino, whom the President replaced with Wilkins Villanueva as PDEA chief, is being transferred to another office. I believe the President thinks he is better suited to another post,” he said.
“I can assure you that this is not a case of loss of trust or confidence. He was given a new assignment,” he added.
In a statement, Roque said the Palace was grateful for Aquino’s “immense contribution to the administration’s campaign against illegal drugs.”
Villanueva in PDEA
Roque said that even though he was already informed about it on Monday, he could not confirm Villanueva’s post because he did not have a copy of the appointment paper.
“I cannot officially confirm it although I was told about it. In fact, I think it was Monday,” he told ANC.
“I could not announce it until I had the copy of the appointment paper released by the Executive Secretary. And I understand we got the copy just this morning,” he added.
Villanueva broke the news ahead of Malacañang when he posted a copy of his appointment paper on his personal social media account. He was appointed as PDEA director-general on May 22.
“Mr. Villanueva beat us to it because as I said, our procedure is, we have to officially announce until the papers have been released. But I guess, in his excitement, he posted it on his Facebook,” he said.
Roque said the Palace believes that Villanueva will lead the drug war to greater heights.
“DG Villanueva is no stranger to drug law enforcement. He has been working with PDEA for many years before reaching the agency’s top position,” he said.
“We, therefore, believe DG Villanueva will lead PDEA and the fight against illegal drugs to greater heights with professionalism, passion, and integrity,” he added.