Malacañang said on Saturday there is nothing wrong with the nomination and election of actress Lani Mercado, wife of Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., as the government’s nominee to the San Miguel Corp.’s (SMC) board of directors.

Presidential adviser for political affairs Gabriel Claudio, now acting Executive Secretary, said Mercado, who is Jesusa Victoria Hernandez-Bautista in real name, is “very qualified” to be elected as a member of the SMC’s nominations committee, replacing Cabinet Secretary Silvestre Bello III.

“This is not an appointment. There’s a nomination, there’s an evaluation and election by the stockholders,” Claudio told in a press briefing.

The election was held during the organizational board of directors’ meeting last July 23 at the Valle Verde Country Club in Pasig City.

“Ms. Mercado is not without the proper credentials and qualifications for this position and also just importantly the acceptance, the acceptability of the San Miguel management as well as the San Miguel board,” Claudio said, adding that Mercado’s nomination was the “prerogative” of President Arroyo.

Controlling about 27 percent of SMC ownership, the government is allowed to name five nominees to its board.