MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte appointed outgoing Davao City 1st District representative Karlo Nograles as the new Cabinet secretary, replacing resigned Leoncio Evasco Jr.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said Duterte reached the decision of appointing Nograles two weeks ago but announced this only on Monday in time for the latter’s taking of oath.
Evasco stepped down from the Cabinet position after filing his certificate of candidacy for governor in Bohol for the 2019 midterm elections.
“Rep. Karlo Nograles is the next Cabinet secretary,” Panelo told a news conference Monday. “He has the trust and confidence of the appointing power, the President.”
Nograles earlier planned to run for senator in the 2019 elections – he was included in the possible senatorial slate of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan.
But Nograles had a change of heart just before the period for the filing of COC, saying he would instead support Mindanaoan candidates who want to bring development to the region.
Nograles, chairman of House of Representatives committee on appropriations, is now on his third and last term. President Duterte’s son Paolo filed a COC in a bid to replace Nograles./PN
