Palace: Cabinet nominees to ‘pass through eye of needle’

MANILA, Philippines — Possible nominees to the Marcos Cabinet are being evaluated thoroughly and would “pass through the eye of the needle,” Malacañang said yesterday.

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said no deadline has been set to complete the Cabinet roster but the evaluation of possible appointees is now in its final stage.

“What I can say is they are evaluating the candidates for the posts. I understand that this is now going through the final evaluation stage. So I don’t think it will take too long,” Angeles said at a press briefing.

“What we are saying is they are undergoing thorough assessment. We are not saying there are difficulties or anything like that but because these are important, precisely because these are very important positions, they have to pass through the eye of the needle,” she added.

Marcos has yet to name the heads of some departments including the health, environment, science, energy and housing departments.

On June 30, Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez issued Memorandum Circular No. 1 declaring vacant certain posts in the departments, offices, agencies and bureaus in the executive department and setting rules to ensure continuous delivery of government service.

At the same press briefing, Angeles said Marcos has not announced any state visits as of now because he is still completing his Cabinet.

“He is busy building up the Cabinet, so we will have to wait for an announcement if there is indeed such a thing,” the press secretary said.

US President Joseph Biden has invited Marcos to the White House, according to Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez.

“Let’s wait for Malacañang to formally acknowledge it (invitation). And then, they will probably make the announcement with regard to whether or not it’s going to happen. But let’s wait,” Angeles said.

Meanwhile, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan called for teamwork among officials and staff of the department as he assumed office over the weekend.

“Let us work together, let us continue to work as a team,” Bonoan told DPWH officials after former secretary Roger Mercado officially turned over the reins of the department during a simple ceremony at the central office in Port Area, Manila on Friday. – Jose Rodel Clapano, Mayen Jaymalin