HONRADO

President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III on Wednesday appointed retired military officer Jose Angel Honrado as head of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), filling another key vacant government position.

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) chief Cayetano Paderanga will also stay in the economic team despite allegations of tax evasion, while National Treasurer Roberto Tan was retained in his post, according to government officials.

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. confirmed that Honrado, former military spokesman, would take over the post vacated by Melvin Matibag.

Ochoa announced the latest government appointment during an interview with reporters after the “Red Mass” at the Manila Cathedral.

Honrado previously served as Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman during the Arroyo administration.

He was also deputy chief of staff for reservists and retirees’ affairs. Honrado retired from the military in 2007.

Ochoa also said President Aquino was satisfied with Paderanga's explanation on allegations he evaded tax payments prior to his Cabinet appointment, adding that the Chief Executive continues to trust him at the NEDA top post.

Ochoa revealed that Paderanga has requested temporary leave from work for 10 days for a personal trip to Japan.

Paderanga, a visiting professor teaching development economics at Kobe University, has “to wind up his affairs there,” Ochoa said.

The second senior career official will probably take the place of Paderanga temporarily until he returns from Japan, he added.

Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima said the Aquino administration retained Tan as the country's national treasurer.

Tan was the head at the International Finance Group and acting National Treasurer in 2008 after Omar T. Cruz resigned on speculations of a policy rift in the DoF.

Tan also served as an advisory to the Board Executive Director of the Asian Development Bank from 1995 to 1998.

Prior to working for the Finance department, he was consultant for Carlos J. Valdes and Co.; Finance and Treasury Manager for PCI Bank's credit card subsidiary Bankard; and Senior Financial and Marketing Analyst for Nowark Redevelopment and Housing Authority in New Jersey.

Tan obtained a bachelor's degree in Economics from Ateneo de Manila University. He finished his masteral and doctoral studies in Economics at Fordham University in New York.

He also holds a masters in Business Administration degree from Ateneo de Manila University.