MANILA -- Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Monday congratulated Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles on his appointment as the new Cabinet Secretary.
Arroyo said Nograles, who chaired the powerful House committee on appropriations, would be a "valuable" addition to the Duterte Cabinet.
"My congratulations to the new Cabinet Secretary, Karlo Nograles. I am sure he will do very well in his new position, and that he will be a valuable member of the President's team. I wish him all the best," Arroyo said in a message sent to House reporters.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Monday confirmed Nograles' appointment as the Cabinet Secretary, saying the latter "enjoys the trust and confidence" of the President.
Panelo said President Rodrigo Duterte chose Nograles to replace Leoncio "Jun" Evasco as early as two weeks ago.
Evasco had resigned to run for governor of Bohol province in the 2019 mid-term polls.
Nograles is serving his third and last term as Davao representative.
Nograles dropped his senatorial bid for the upcoming 2019 mid-term elections, saying he would instead support other senatorial hopefuls from Mindanao belonging to the administration slate. (PNA)
