Maribojoc Mayor Leoncio “Tuloy” Evasco, Jr., one of the men President-elect Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte trusts because he is a “principled man” remained humble when asked what position he would occupy in the next administration.

In an interview over DYRD “Inyong Alagad” this morning, Wednesday, May 11, 2016, Evasco said “I would rather remain in the background and do whatever I can to help achieve the goals of the administration”.

When told that Duterte would have him at his side rather than hold any cabinet positions, Evasco quipped “I would be glad to open doors for him, have him seated and even fan to comfort him”.

Talks bandied around by pundits suggested that Evasco was primed as the next Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary with his vast experience in local government management.

Evasco, a former rebel priest, was a long time chief of staff of Duterte in Davao City, and was even appointed City Engineer despite his lack of qualifications and a close adviser of Duterte in matters of local governance.

A three-term mayor of Maribojoc, Evasco’s management skills were put to test during the aftermath of the October 15, 2016 magnitude 7.2 earthquake that devastated Bohol including Maribojoc.

Shepherding whatever little resources that the local government could muster, Evasco mounted a relief and rehabilitation strategy that delivered much needed assistance to victims of Maribojoc.

Considered by many as part of a small but trusted group that made possible Duterte’s successful run to Malacanang, the man who mapped the over-all campaign strategy of Duterte is likely to also plan the course of the administration for the next six years. (Chito M. Visarra)