MANILA, Philippines – Former Cabinet secretary and businessman Carlos “Sonny” Dominguez III will be Finance Secretary under the Duterte administration.
On Thursday, May 19, Dominguez told Rappler that he decided to accept the position after initially declining. His appointment is set to be announced Thursday afternoon.
Dominguez had rejected Duterte’s offer as of Wednesday, May 18.
“He said ‘sorry I cannot go with you because the wife and family are now in the States,’” president-elect Rodrigo Duterte told media on Wednesday.
Given Dominguez’ rejection, Duterte said he was considering JG Summit Holdings Inc Chief Operating Officer Lance Gokongwei to head the Department of Finance instead.
But Duterte’s spokesman Salvador Panelo said on Thursday morning that Dominguez ended up accepting the offer.
Dominguez served as Agriculture secretary under the Cory Aquino administration. He also headed the finance committee of Duterte’s presidential campaign.
In Duterte’s transition team, Dominguez has been put in charge of vetting appointees to the Cabinet and forming Duterte’s economic agenda.
Dominguez also owns several businesses in Davao City including the Marco Polo Hotel and real estate developments. – Rappler.com