President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has appointed Oscar Valenzuela, a former Undersecretary for Peace and Order at the Department of the Interior and Local Government, as the new chairperson of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB). The announcement was made through a Friday post on the Presidential Communications Office’s Facebook page. Valenzuela steps into the role previously held by Catalino Cuy, who had been in the position since 2018.
The DDB, established under Republic Act 9165, is responsible for crafting policies and strategies aimed at preventing and controlling drug abuse across the nation. Valenzuela, a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy’s ‘Marangal’ Class of 1974, brings a wealth of experience to the board. His career includes significant roles such as Police Assistant Regional Director for Operations in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Police Provincial Director of Ilocos Norte.
After retiring from the Philippine National Police, Valenzuela took on leadership roles in national security, including heading the National Terrorism Prevention Office and chairing the Asia Pacific Economic Conference Counter-Terrorism Working Group. He also represented the Philippines at the White House Summit on Countering Violent Extremism in 2015. As Undersecretary, he was instrumental in supporting the National Anti-Drug Strategy and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency’s advocacy programs.
In addition to Valenzuela’s appointment, President Marcos made several other key appointments. Roberto Manalo was reappointed as the non-resident ambassador to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, while also continuing his role as ambassador to Iran with jurisdiction over Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Other ambassadors appointed include Christopher Montero to Indonesia, Elizabeth Te to Laos, and Domingo Nolasco to Estonia and Finland.
Further appointments include Pericles Dacay as head of the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board, Desiderio Apag III as a commissioner at the Commission on Higher Education, and various undersecretaries and assistant secretaries across different departments. New board members and acting members were also appointed to various government bodies, reflecting a broad reshuffle in government positions.