Presidential Spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao told reporters yesterday that the Chief Executive has asked Cabrera, who confirmed last week that he had asked Mrs. Arroyo to transfer him to another post, to stay on while a search for his replacement is still being conducted.
"That’s the President’s decision. The President has not made any appointment to replace Secretary Cabrera and she would like (him) to stay at his post in the meantime," Tiglao said.
"The decision (on his replacement) will be made when the appointment papers to replace him are issued," he added.
Cabrera expressed surprise over the news and said he had not been told that he was still needed at his post a little longer.
"I don’t know anything about that," he said. "I haven’t talked to anybody, not even Secretary Tiglao. I thought I was supposed to be on leave."
He said the last time he talked with Mrs. Arroyo was last Thursday before he faced reporters and confirmed that he wanted to serve the Arroyo administration "in another capacity."
"We talked and we agreed to see how it will take place. What I know is what we talked about," he said, declining to further comment on his supposed "extension."
Cabrera said he did not recommend anybody to replace him and Tiglao said there is no "short list" yet of his possible replacement.
While Cabrera has confirmed his desire to be transferred, the Palace has made no announcement on who will be named to replace him but, this early, there is already jockeying over the soon-to-be-vacated post.
Among those reportedly being considered to replace Cabrera are Press Undersecretary Roberto Capco, government television executive Cerge Remonde, Philippine Daily Inquirer publisher Isagani Yambot, and Tiglao.
But Tiglao said it will take "a few months" before a replacement is named and he dismissed notions that he was lobbying for the position.
"Cabrera will stay in his post and I will stay in my post. So there is no post for me to decline or accept... There is no need for lobbying," Tiglao said. "Let’s (just) talk about it a few months later."