Lakas gets pick of gov’t vacancies

The Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats is poised to dominate the administration as Cabinet positions await the party’s third-term lawmakers who would be jobless in June.

Administration stalwarts disclosed that Mrs. Arroyo had offered to Eastern Samar Rep. Marcelino Libanan the post of solicitor general, which became vacant last week following the appointment of Antonio Nachura as associate justice of the Supreme Court.

The new wave of appointments followed a recent disclosure by outgoing Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, also of Lakas, that he is being groomed for a possible Cabinet post.

Libanan, a lawyer and head of the House panel in the Commission on Appointments, had been considered for the administration’s senatorial slate before the Palace decided to name him solicitor general instead. He headed the House justice committee.

Libanan, in a phone interview with The STAR, confirmed the offer, which Mrs. Arroyo raised during a lunch meeting with Lakas lawmakers. Mrs. Arroyo is the titular head of the party. "I was asked to decide. But I haven’t decided yet," Libanan said. He said he was also thinking of finishing his last term until June 30.

Earlier reports said Government Corporate Counsel Agnes Devanadera was to succeed Nachura but administration officials said she appeared inclined to remain in her post and continue her reform programs.

Salceda, who is also a member of the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) party, said he might be named Presidential Chief of Staff to replace Michael Defensor who is running for senator in May. A top Palace official said Salceda’s possible Cabinet post would be known this week.

Waiting in the wings are Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay, Deputy Speaker for Mindanao Gerry Salapuddin, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Constantino Jaraula, and Antique Rep. Exequiel Javier.

Pichay was eyeing the post of Defense Secretary but this was given to former Public Works chief Hermogenes Ebdane.

He is being considered as a senatorial candidate of the administration but his chances of being included in the final slate are getting smaller as more opposition figures are being invited to join the ticket.

Jaraula, a lawyer and a fierce campaigner for Charter change; and Salapuddin, also an active defender of the administration, informed The STAR of their possible inclusion in the official family.

When sought for comment, Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., who is Lakas-CMD president, confirmed Palace moves to give executive positions to "graduating" lawmakers, but he did not elaborate.

Lakas has around 90 members in the House of Representatives. There are about 70 outgoing congressmen in the chamber.

The ruling coalition bannered by Kampi-Lakas groups the Nationalist People’s Coalition, the Liberal Party (Atienza wing), the Nacionalista Party, and the Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas.