Philippines: President reserves Cabinet seats for communists

Philippines' President-elect Rodrigo Duterte. (Source: www.ofwpinoystar.com)

Hanoi (VNA) – Newly-elected Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte announced that he will reserve some ministerial positions in his new Cabinet for members of the Philippines Communist Party (CPP).

Speaking in Davao city on May 16, Duterte said he recommended the left wing leads ministries such as the Department of Agrarian Reform , the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Labour and Employment or the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

During his presidential campaign, Duterte kept in contact with Jose Maria Sison, Founder and President of the CPP, who is currently exiled in the Netherlands.

Duterte also planned to renew peace talks with the CPP.

Peace talks with the CPP, the New People’s Army, and the National Democratic Front stalled in 2011 under Benigno Aquino President’s Administration.-VNA