President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has appointed Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo as the Special Envoy of the President for Overseas Filipino Concerns.

This move comes as a form of gratitude, following INC’s notable endorsement of President Marcos during the 2022 presidential elections, a decision that significantly contributed to his victory.

INC, renowned for its influential bloc voting system, threw its support behind President Marcos during the recent elections. With over 2.6 million members in the Philippines, INC’s endorsement is considered a crucial factor, particularly for candidates aspiring to hold top government positions.

Manalo, the grandson of INC’s founder Felix Manalo, brings extensive experience to this role.

He previously served as the Special Envoy for Overseas Filipino Concerns during the Duterte administration. Manalo’s leadership within INC, an organization deeply ingrained in the political landscape, makes him well-suited to represent the interests of overseas Filipino workers.

In addition to Manalo, Marcos announced several other key appointments aimed at enhancing various sectors of the government:

• Norman Vincent Wee has been appointed as the Special Envoy of the President to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for Trade and Investments, reflecting President Marcos’s commitment to bolstering economic ties and opportunities for Filipinos abroad.
• Jesus Ricardo Domingo, a seasoned career diplomat, has been appointed as Undersecretary at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). He previously served as the country’s ambassador to New Zealand from 2016 to 2022.
• Niño Raymond Alvina is now an Assistant Secretary at the Department of Finance (DOF).
• Romeo Bernardo and Rosalia de Leon have been named as new members of the Monetary Board.
• Consolacion Agcaoili has been appointed as an Executive Director at the Bureau of Local Government Finance.

Moreover, President Marcos made several significant appointments to various government departments and agencies:

• Pablo Lorenzo is now an Undersecretary at the Department of National Defense (DND).
• Mark Anthony Diamante has been appointed as Director III at the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).
• Cynthia Carrion has joined the Board of Trustees of the Philippine Retirement Authority.
• Mark Bocobo will serve as the National Government representative at the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority Board of Directors.
• Grace Tan has taken the role of Chairperson at the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC).
• Allan Montaño has been named as the Labor Sector Representative at the National Tripartite Industrial Peace Council.

Furthermore, several appointments have been made within the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD):

• Rowela Hizon, Miramel Laxa, Michael Joseph Lorico, Christian Joseph Regunay, and Jackielyn Krystyl Nehama Bana have been appointed to various directorial positions.

Lastly, Catherine Allam-Miranda and Jonathan Leybag will serve as Local Government Operations Officers VIII at the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).