President Ferdinand R. Marcos backed Wednesday the appointments of former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Camilo Cascolan and award-winning director Paul Soriano, saying they will be great assets for the government.

Responding to reporters during an interview at the Manila Hotel, Marcos said while General Cascolan is not a medical doctor, he could initiate reforms at the Department of Health (DOH), particularly as the administration carries out bureaucratic rightsizing and structural changes.

“Of course, he’s not a doctor, and it’s not health issues that he has to look at. That’s why he doesn’t have to be a doctor. He’s going to look at the function of the DOH,” the President told reporters.

“We talk about rightsizing, we talk about structural changes. ‘Yun. We need somebody to examine what has been going on, ano ‘yung maganda, ano ang hindi maganda, ano ang pwedeng mas maayos, that will be his function kaya special concerns,” the President explained.

In the case of Soriano, people have misunderstood the appointment, said Marcos.

He said the renowned director will “not be part of the PR machine” and instead, Soriano will work to find ways to promote the country’s creative industry.

“Kasi don s’ya galing e. So ipinagmamalaki, kasama ‘yan sa tourism. Ipinagmamalaki natin, ang gagaling kumanta ng Pilipino, magaling umarte, ang gagaling gumawa ng sine etc, etc,” Marcos said of Soriano.

“We have to project that to the rest of the world. ‘Yan ang trabaho ni Paul. I hope that clarifies that,” he said. #