Faces of the News: April 28, 2024
Sara Duterte
Photo from Inday Sara Dutere FB page
“Her personal feelings have nothing to do with my mandate as an official of the government.” Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte said so on Monday, when she finally broke her silence following first lady Liza Araneta Marcos’ tirade against her. The first lady said she took offense at Duterte for laughing after her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, called President Marcos “bangag” (under the influence) at an anti-Charter-change rally in January. In a short video message, Duterte acquiesced that the first lady was being “human” and has a “right to [harbor] ill feelings and anger” over the incident. But Duterte was keen to move past the issue, saying it was a matter best discussed privately between her and the President. She also ignored calls for her ouster as education chief, and instead called on the public to “put the Philippines first.” For her, the more pressing issues that require attention include inflation, hunger, poverty, inadequate water and power, criminality, terrorism, insurgency, and the “proliferation once again of illegal drugs.” —Kathleen de Villa
Manuel Mamba
Photo from Cagayan Provincial Information Office facebook page
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) First Division issued a resolution on April 24 disqualifying Cagayan Gov. Manuel Mamba from holding office for violating the prohibition on the release or disbursement of public funds for social projects while campaigning for reelection in 2022. Mamba intends to exhaust all legal remedies to contest the ruling. Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said the ruling was not yet final and executory, and Mamba could still file a motion for reconsideration with the poll body en banc within five days. The decision may also still be appealed before the Supreme Court. Earlier on April 22, the high tribunal remanded to Comelec a similar disqualification case against Mamba that was dismissed in December 2023 as it was filed late. Mamba said he would submit a motion for reconsideration before the court. “Nobody can bring down our clean governance. My love for each Cagayanon is without comparison, we will fight for our province and our constituents,” Mamba said on his Facebook page. —Jerome Aning
Caitlin Clark
Caitlin Clark’s selection as the top overall pick of the WNBA Draft two weeks ago is expected to heighten the interest of women’s professional basketball in the United States. So far, the pick has already sparked discussions about whether Clark, who rose to prominence when she starred for Iowa in the US NCAA Division I, will be adequately compensated after estimates of her rookie salary surfaced. Clark’s four-year rookie deal with the Fever will be worth only $338,056—miles below the figure that her NBA counterpart Victor Wembanyama is getting. Wembanyama’s contract with the San Antonio Spurs is $55.2 million over four years. This has sparked talks about the lack of pay among women athletes, as well as how WNBA salaries could increase dramatically should Clark become a draw that the league hopes she would be. For now, Clark will get more money from endorsements. Nike signed her to a $28-million deal for eight years. Clark and fellow NCAA star Angel Reese, who was drafted by the Chicago Sky, are seen to create more interest for the WNBA in its 28th season. —Jonas Terrado
Hans Leo Cacdac
Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac took the helm of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Thursday, after a yearlong ad-interim appointment as officer in charge (OIC). President Marcos appointed him OIC following the death of Secretary Susan Ople in 2023. Agency insiders have long considered Cacdac a shoo-in for the position. He rose from the ranks within the labor department from director to undersecretary. He also worked as administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, now an attached agency of the DMW. Cacdac is among the few Cabinet members who served in various capacities under the Aquino, Duterte and Marcos administrations. Once confirmed by the Commission on Appointments, Cacdac will become the second DMW secretary. His appointment comes at a time when the department is dealing with highly sensitive issues including the ongoing crisis faced by overseas Filipino workers in Israel and the series of abductions of Filipino seafarers onboard ships in the Gulf of Aden and the Strait of Hormuz. —Melvin Gascon
Harvey Weinstein
Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac took the helm of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Thursday, after a yearlong ad-interim appointment as officer in charge (OIC). President Marcos appointed him OIC following the death of Secretary Susan Ople in 2023. Agency insiders have long considered Cacdac a shoo-in for the position. He rose from the ranks within the labor department from director to undersecretary. He also worked as administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, now an attached agency of the DMW. Cacdac is among the few Cabinet members who served in various capacities under the Aquino, Duterte and Marcos administrations. Once confirmed by the Commission on Appointments, Cacdac will become the second DMW secretary. His appointment comes at a time when the department is dealing with highly sensitive issues including the ongoing crisis faced by overseas Filipino workers in Israel and the series of abductions of Filipino seafarers onboard ships in the Gulf of Aden and the Strait of Hormuz. —Melvin Gascon
