CLARK FREEPORT – Former Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan will reportedly join the Cabinet of President Aquino as Secretary for Food Security.
This was revealed by Angeles City Mayor Ed Pamintuan during the media forum “Balitaan” at the Bale Balita here last Friday organized by the Capampangan in Media, Inc. (CAMI) in cooperation with the Clark Development Corp. (CDC) and the Social Security System (SSS).
Pamintuan said he has it from reliable sources that Pangilinan, who traces his roots in Sto. Tomas, Pampanga, will head the new Cabinet post. Pamintuan also said that one defi nite agency that will be placed under Pangilinan’s jurisdiction is the National Food Authority (NFA) where allegations of corruption have been raised against Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala.
Alcala’s former chief of staff when he was still a congressman from Quezon province, Orlan Calayag, is now head of the NFA. Another DA-attached agency that might be placed under Pangilinan’s watch, according to the source, is the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) since Aquino has continued to express dismay over the agency’s performance despite his decision to remove former administrator Antonio Nangel in 2013.
Pangilinan will join the group of presidential advisers like Panfilo Lacson (reconstruction and rehabilitation), Nereus Acosta (climate change), Teresita Deles (peace process) and Edwin Lacierda (spokesman), among others.
Pangilinan has a farm in Batangas which grows organic vegetables which are reportedly often used in Mesa Moderno Filipino restaurants which he owns
