MANILA — President Rodrigo R. Duterte has appointed Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) executive minister Eduardo “Eddie” Villanueva Manalo as his special presidential for overseas Filipinos concerns.
In an appointment paper dated Feb. 13, Malacañang said Manalo would be holding the position from Jan. 30, 2018 until Jan. 29, 2019.
“Pursuant to the provisions of the existing laws, you are hereby designated Special Envoy of the President for Overseas Filipino concerns, from 30 January 2018 to 29 January 2019,” the appointment paper read.
The INC, known for its bloc voting system, endorsed the candidacies of Duterte and former senator and losing vice presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. during the 2016 national elections.
Meanwhile, Duterte also appointed Herman Billones Jumilla as undersecretary of the Department of Budget and Management, replacing Gertrudo de Leon who was fired October year.
De Leon was fired over corruption allegations.
Duterte also appointed new local government operations officers and directors to the Department of Interior and Local Government.
