PGMA inducts into office new drug czar, PROC envoy

Manila (5 January) — In simple rites in Malacanang, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo inducted on yesterday Frank Benedicto as ambassador to the People’s Republic of China (PROC) and former Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group chief, Undersecretary Antonio Villar Jr. as chairman of the Dangerous Drugs Board.

Ambassador Benedicto will serve in a concurrent capacity as the country’s envoy to Mongolia and North Korea.

The Commission on Appointments has already approved the appointment of Cebuano Frank Benedicto as ambassador to China in December 2009.

Ambassador Benedicto was appointed by four successive Presidents to different foreign capitals – by President Corazon Aquino as Ambassador to Singapore; by President Fidel Ramos to Seoul and thereafter to Brasilia; by President Joseph Estrada to Ottawa; and by President Arroyo to New Delhi, and now to Beijing.

A Cebuano, Ambassador Frank Benedicto is one of our oldest serving political envoys… and for good reason. In every post he served – Singapore, Brazil, Ottawa, Seoul, New Delhi – his officers and staff swear by him.

Generous to a fault, he travels cross-country to visit every Filipino association event. His Mandarin is an invaluable asset to his posting to Beijing.

On the other hand, Undersecretary Villar replaces former Senator Vicente Sotto III, who resigned in November in order to run for senator in the 2010 elections under the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) party.

As DDB chief, Undersecretary Villar said he will work hard to reduce, it not entirely eliminate, illegal drugs. He intimated that he expected a more hazardous life ahead as the new anti-drug czar.

“I have lost friends and political allies when I took the reins as anti-smuggling czar, and I am now expecting more foes as I push the legacy of the government [war] against drugs,” he said.

President Gloria Arroyo has announced the appointment of Undersecretary Villar as her anti-smuggling czar, on December 29 in Baguio.

Undersecretary Villar, head of the presidential anti-smuggling group, will hold the position in a concurrent capacity, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said. (PIA