President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos on Thursday announced the line-up of his economic team, who will be tasked to address the country’s mounting economic woes.
In a televised press conference, Marcos said he will appoint Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas governor Benjamin E. Diokno to take the helm of his economic team as Finance Secretary.
“I will be nominating our BSP president Ben Diokno for the position of Secretary of Finance. He has already agreed. We already talked about it. And he has agreed to it,” Marcos said.
Diokno previously served as the Budget and Management Secretary of President Rodrigo R. Duterte before his stint in BSP.
Meanwhile, Diokno’s vacated position in BSP will be filled up by Felipe M. Medalla, a former head of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA).
“He (Medalla) will take on the unexpired term [of Diokno]. The term of the present BSP president, in this case, is until July,” Marcos said.
Also joining Marcos’ economic team is former University of the Philippines president Alfred E. Pascual to head the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Marcos said Manuel “Manny” M. Bonoan, who will serve as his Public Works Secretary, will also be part of his economic team.
“He has spent almost all his professional life in the DPWH. I know him very well. So I know he will do a good job,” Marcos said.
Marcos, who was proclaimed last Wednesday, said he plans to focus on addressing economic issues, which includes rising food and fuel prices, once he officially assumes the presidency next month.
“I know the economic team is critical and that is what people are looking for. I think we found the best people, who are able to look forward and to anticipate what the conditions will be in the Philippines and the rest of the world in the coming years,” Marcos said.