Marcos looked beyond politics in appointing ex-Duterte supporter RJ Nieto — Palace

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang explained on Wednesday, September 16, that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. set politics aside in appointing Rey Joseph “RJ” Nieto, a former supporter of the Dutertes, to a Cabinet position.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said during a press briefing that Marcos looked beyond Nieto’s past affiliation with the Dutertes in assigning him a role directly under the Office of the President.

“Even before, sinabi po natin na ang pangulo po ay hindi tumitingin sa kulay,” Castro said. (Even before, we have said that the president does not look at political colors.)

The former pro-Duterte vlogger behind the deactivated Thinking Pinoy blog was appointed assistant secretary at the Office of the Cabinet Secretary earlier Wednesday.

Castro said Marcos can appoint anyone to the government as long as such a person will serve the public first and not the people they previously supported.

“Kung kayo po ay makikitang magiging asset sa gobyerno para mas maging maganda ang serbisyo ng isang ahensya, hindi po mag-aatubili ang pangulo na kayo ay kunin,” Castro said. “Provided na ang puso po ninyo kahit ano ang inyong kulay dapat ay sa taong bayan at sa bansa, hindi sa isang tao o sa isang dati niyong tinataguyod.”

(If you are seen as an asset to the government to improve the service of an agency, the president will not hesitate to bring you on board. Provided that your heart, regardless of your political colors, is for the people and the country, not for one individual you previously supported.)

Castro had not disclosed the specific tasks that come with Nieto’s role yet, but noted that he will most likely be involved in delivering services to Filipinos in far-flung areas.

“Definitely alam naman natin kung anong pinakatrabaho ng CabSec. Ito ay para mas maabot ‘yung ating mga kababayan sa mas pinakasulok pa na parte ng Pilipinas,” Castro said.

(We definitely know what the job of the CabSec is. That is to reach our fellow countrymen from the most remote areas in the Philippines.)