Leyte governor likely to replace Almendras as Energy chief

Leyte Governor Jericho Petilla has yet to receive any paper confirming his reported appointment as Energy secretary, replacing Rene Almendras, according to a report on GMA News TV’s “News To Go” on Thursday. The report, however, quoted Petilla as saying that he would likely accept the position once it is offered. In his visit to Leyte last month, President Benigno Aquino III joked that if the opportunity arises, he will recruit Petilla to the executive. The TV report quoted Palace sources as saying that the deal was all but done, adding that Almendras would be given another post, possibly another Cabinet level position in Malacañang, or chief of the Presidential Management Staff (PMS).   Current PMS head Julia Abad has previously expressed her desire to return to the private sector. Aquino, speaking to foreign and local reporters at the annual Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) forum on Wednesday, confirmed the impending minor reshuffle of his two-year-old Cabinet, but said announcements would be made “at the appropriate time.” — Patricia Denise Chiu/KBK, GMA News