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Salas is new Commerce secretary
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Posted on Sep 08 2004
Beginning today, Labor deputy secretary Andrew Salas—known as Gov. Juan N. Babauta’s jogging buddy—would assume the helm of the Department of Commerce as its acting secretary.
Gov. Juan N. Babauta disclosed that he would appoint Salas today to the Commerce Department’s top executive post.
Salas was the first person to assume the deputy secretary position at the Department of Labor. He was appointed to the post by the governor after losing his senatorial bid in the 2003 midterm polls.
Before his appointment to the Labor Department, there were already rumors that Salas was being groomed for the Commerce Department’s top post.
Saying that Salas is a “good organizer,” Babauta said the new Commerce secretary would carry out reforms within the department “to direct Commerce in its duty to handle issues of commerce and business.”
The governor cited Salas’ experience in the House of Representatives, where the former congressman had chaired the Committee on Commerce.
When pressed why Salas is being pulled out from the Labor Department, Babauta said the former congressman “is needed for the Commerce Department.”
Salas has had conflicting views with Labor officials, including Secretary Joaquin Tenorio, on issues affecting nonresidents workers, such as those allowing aliens to engage in multiple jobs.
