Major cabinet revamp denied

MANILA, Philippines - Contrary to speculation that a major cabinet revamp is in the offing, outgoing Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye Friday clarified that the cabinet reshuffle that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had announced last month will only involve him and Cabinet Secretary Ricardo L. Saludo. "The extent of the revamp was clarified by the President. This really involves Sec. Saludo and me moving in different positions to assume new responsibilities. So, necessarily, there had been replacements and that would cause a minor shake up, but that’s about the extent of the movement that the president alluded to," Mr. Bunye said in a media forum. Last week, the Press Secretary announced he will leave his post effective July 3 to move to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) monetary board. Mr. Bunye said he will announce his replacement on Sunday, May 18. Among the names bandied about as his possible replacements are Chief Presidential Management Staff head Cerge M. Remonde, losing senatorial bet and former Environment Sec. Michael Defensor, former Presidential spokesman Mike Toledo and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza. Mr. Bunye said the President has already chosen his replacement and hinted that the incoming Press Secretary is "an insider holding a Cabinet rank post." Last month, Exec. Sec. Eduardo R. Ermita announced the appointment of Mr. Saludo as Civil Service Commission Chairman to replace Karina C. David who retired in March. Mr. Saludo will be replaced by former Justice Secretary and peace negotiator Silvestro Bello III. He will assume his new post once Mr. Saludo secures his confirmation from the Commission on Appointments. Rumors of a cabinet revamp escalated when Mrs. Arroyo told reporters in Cebu last month that she would be implementing changes in her cabinet. She, however, declined to name who would be affected by the reshuffle. Previous reports quoted sources as saying that retired Armed Forces Chief of Staff Hermogenes C. Esperon, Jr. would be appointed as Defense Secretary to replace Defense Sec. Gilbert C. Teodoro, who is reportedly being eyed as Justice Secretary to replace Sec. Raul M. Gonzales. Talk is rife that the President is planning to appoint losing senatorial bets of Team Unity, the administration coalition during the 2007 synchronized congressional and local polls. Mrs. Arroyo is reportedly planning to appoint former Sen. Tessie Aquino-Oreta as Education Secretary, a post being held by Jesli A. Lapus. Former Sen. Ralph Recto, meanwhile, is reportedly being considered to replace Finance Sec. Margarito B. Teves. There are also rumors that Exec. Sec. Eduardo R. Ermita would be named ambassador to Washington, DC, and will be replaced by Interior and Local Government Sec. Ronaldo V. Puno. Palace officials neither confirmed nor denied these rumors, saying only the President has the prerogative to appoint cabinet members. - BusinessWorld