Lapus believes he will be retained at DepEd

MANILA, Philippines - Education Secretary Jesli Lapus on Tuesday said that he will be retained in his post amid talks that he will be replaced by losing senatorial candidate Tessie Aquino Oreta. Lapus said that he based his belief on his record adding that he has been able to deliver on tasks assigned to him by the Palace. The education chief also said that replacing him at this crucial moment might affect the current programs being implemented to boost the public education in the country. However, Lapus said he is not against the cabinet revamp as it will give President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo the chance to put into place the programs she has promised during the election campaign. “Marami akong assignments at ako ang over-all in-charge sa Independence Day celebration next month," Lapus said. His remark came amid a cabinet revamp which has resulted in the transfers of Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye to the Monetary Board and former Cabinet Secretary Ricardo Saludo to the Civil Service Commission. On Monday, President Arroyo named former Justice Secretary Silvestre Bello III - who is now the presidential adviser on new government centers - to take over the post of Saludo once the former Cabinet secretary is confirmed by the bicameral Commission on Appointments as Civil Service Commission chair. She had also hinted that recently-retired chief of the Armed Force of the Philippines, Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, would be given a government post. The ongoing Cabinet revamp had also sparked rumors about the supposed impending entry of Oreta to the Department of Education. - GMANews.TV