Cabrera laughs off reports on replacement

Press Secretary Noel Cabrera laughed off yesterday moves to float the names of some people whom President Arroyo is said to be considering as his replacement.

However, Cabrera said on radio it’s possible that Presidential Spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao would be named the next press secretary.

"I am just assuming the others might be float only," he said. "Because it’s normal whenever there are vacancies... So the others, perhaps, were just being floated."

Cabrera said he had not recommended anyone to Mrs. Arroyo for the post of press secretary.

"Because this post is really sensitive," he said. "It’s really up to the President. I would rather really leave it up to President Arroyo."

Reports said Mrs. Arroyo may name Cabrera chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Cocolife Insurance, or appoint him ambassador to Romania.

Cabrera did not want to confirm this, but said: "(The President) told me perhaps in the corporate world. But she said she is trying to work things out, not just yet."

Some of the names being floated as the next press secretary are Manila Times chairman and president Dante Ang, Press Undersecretary Bobby Capco and Philippine Daily Inquirer publisher Isagani Yambot.

Cabrera also denied rumors of a rift between him and Ang, who is said to be the de facto press secretary.

"Not at all, Mr. Dante Ang is just helping," he said. "In fact, he is the official publicist (of Mrs. Arroyo) because he has long been associated with the President and he knows the feelings of the President. (Ang) has his own job, about projects on the image (building) of the President."

Ang was the one who convinced him to take the job of press secretary after Mrs. Arroyo took over the government from President Joseph Estrada on Jan. 20 last year, he added. – Marichu Villanueva