Analyst: Cabinet offer to CPP a 'stroke of genius'

Trishia Billones, ABS-CBN News

Posted at 17 May 2016 07:58 PM

A political analyst believes presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte's announcement to reserve four cabinet posts to allies of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) could bring in real inclusive growth.

"You balance the economic, the business aspect of continuing the growth trajectory of the country; but at the same time, by putting the left in charge of the social services, you will actually put social inclusion front and center," De La Salle University-College of Liberal Arts Dean Julio Teehankee said on Mornings @ ANC Tuesday.

READ: Duterte offers Cabinet posts to Communist Party

Teehankee said Duterte's pronouncement of reserving four cabinet positions for the left is part of Duterte's campaign promise to form a unity government and of the left's tactical goal "to form a democratic coalition government, a united front with the government."

"By putting these four social service-oriented portfolios at front and center, and offering them to people who actually rebelled against the state because of injustices committed against the farmers, the workers and the lack of social services, that is a stroke of genius, I think," he said.

But he underscored the uncertainty as to whether the appointments will come before or after the negotiation resumes.

Teehankee added, this inclusion would bring in a "difficult balancing act" with the the Duterte administration taking a more nuanced approach with its relations with the United States.

"We’re trying to rebalance, we’re trying to hedge our geo-political position vis-à-vis the United States. And at the same time, we’re trying to repair our damaged relations with China without necessarily surrendering our sovereignty," he said.

"That is the reason why whoever is appointed secretary of foreign affairs is crucial for this kind of geo-political strategy," he added.

READ: Duterte offer to Reds draws praise, concern

Teehankee said the assignment of Duterte's closest allies into his cabinet also means the next chief executive wants immediate action.

"These are the more crucial cabinet portfolios that I think he needs to get to his incoming administration running. I think he placed, appointed, or named his most trusted allies so he can immediately hit the ground running," he said.

He remained positive that younger and more technocractic cabinet members will be named soon, creating a more diverse selection.