PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed former Albay Representative Joey Sarte Salceda as the new Secretary of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO), bringing one of the country’s most seasoned economists and veteran lawmakers back to the Cabinet ahead of the administration’s key legislative agenda.
Salceda brings to the Cabinet extensive market-related experience, as research director of several multinational investment firms, including UBS, SBC Warburg, and ING Barings. During his time in the private sector, Salceda was named Best Analyst in the Asia-Pacific region, helping establish the Philippine stock market’s regional prominence in the 1990s.
Salceda also chaired the Appropriations, Ways and Means, Economic Affairs, and Trade and Industry Committees of the House of Representatives, where he served for six terms. In Congress, Salceda was well-regarded as the resident economist of the House. Recently, the Supreme Court called on Salceda to serve as amicus curiae on budget issues, alongside the most senior figures in public financial management.
He was also the first Asian Co-Chair of the UN Green Climate Fund, a delegate to the World Trade Organization, and adviser to the Incheon Metropolitan City government.
He was Governor of Albay when the province achieved renown for its pioneering DRR and climate change initiatives, including the Zero Casualty Doctrine. He was also chair of the Bicol Regional Development Council for nine years, when the region achieved its fastest growth decade.
“I thank President Marcos for the trust and confidence. And I thank the Executive Secretary for his guidance. The most important resource of this administration is time. And with precious time and enduring support for the President in Congress, I humbly accept the immense challenge of passing the remaining major items of the President’s policy agenda,” Salceda said.
“I also hope to serve as a bridge of the President for the wisdom, talent, and insight of the private sector, the academe, and broader civil society.”
“The mandate given to me is to reform and transform the PLLO into a genuine policy office of the President. This administration has been uniquely open to the best ideas from the people. I humbly invite the country’s best minds, especially young people, to share with us your time, your talents, and your energies towards this undertaking.”
Salceda’s appointment comes at a crucial time, prior to the State of the Nation Address and the submission of the President’s budget, and as the country navigates significant global headwinds
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