Palace mum on reports about impending Cabinet revamp

Manila, Philippines -  Malacañang is mum on reports that President Aquino will soon implement changes in his Cabinet.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said she has not received information about the alleged plan to implement reassignments in the official family.

“I have no information. (We have no) advice of any new appointment or new movements (in the Cabinet),” Valte said over radio dzRB yesterday.

Palace sources told The STAR last Friday that Aquino is planning to appoint Energy Secretary Rene Almendras as chief of the Presidential Management Staff (PMS), a post currently being held by Julia Abad, who is reportedly relocating to Washington with her husband and daughter.

The PMS is tasked to review the projects of the Office of the President before they reach Aquino’s table.

Aquino reportedly wants to tap the managerial skills of Almendras, who was chief executive officer of several private companies before entering government service.

Sources said Almendras’ appointment to PMS would provide a check and balance in the Cabinet since Julia’s father, Florencio, is the secretary of the Department of Budget and Management.

The STAR tried but failed to reach the Budget chief for comment.

Emmanuel Bonoan, a former finance secretary, is reportedly being eyed to succeed Almendras in the Energy department.

Bonoan, said to be a close friend of Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, was head of the Run After Tax Evaders, a project that seeks to punish corrupt revenue officials.

Bonoan also worked with the tax division of a private auditing firm.

Earlier, Aquino told reporters in London that he is considering appointing Senators Panfilo Lacson and Francis Pangilinan as Cabinet officials.

The President did not say what positions would be offered to the senators.

Talks are rife, however, that Lacson, a former police chief, will replace Jesse Robredo as Interior and Local Government secretary.

Pangilinan, a political ally of Aquino, is reportedly being eyed as secretary of either the Department of Agriculture of Department of Justice.

Speculations that Pangilinan would be named Justice chief came about since Justice secretary Leila de Lima might run for senator in the midterm elections next year.