Andanar: Abella still an undersecretary under Duterte admin

Presidential Communications Operations Office chief Secretary Martin Andanar on Friday said former presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella would remain with the Duterte administration.

In an interview on DWIZ radio, Andanar said that Abella remained an undersecretary despite being replaced by Kabayan party-list Representative Harry Roque.

“Si Ernie will stay with the administration. Kung saan siya ilagay ni Presidente Duterte, nasa prerogative na iyon ni Presidente. But I’m sure that hindi naman masi-zero si Ernie,” Andanar said.

“Hindi naman masi-zero si Ernie. He will have a place under the administration,” he added.

Duterte has refused to reveal why he decided to replace Abella with Roque.

The President said Roque would have a rank of secretary.

The Kabayan party-list representative in his interviews hinted that he would hold a concurrent position in the Duterte administration. 

Although he is yet to be formally appointed to the post, Roque already held his first briefing on Thursday in Malacañang. —NB, GMA News