Remonde is new Press Secretary

CEBU - Cebuano Cerge Remonde will assume as Press Secretary in the latest revamp in the cabinet of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, which takes effect on February 1.

Remonde, who is currently the chief of the Presidential Management Staff, will be replaced by retired military chief Hermogenes Esperon Jr., who is currently the presidential adviser on the peace process.

“I humbly accept the grave responsibility with humility,” Remonde told The FREEMAN in a text message last night when asked about his new appointment.  

Remonde, the 15th head of the PMS, hails from Argao, Cebu.

He is a magna cum laude graduate with a degree of Bachelor of Arts from the University of the Visayas (UV) in Cebu City.

In 2001, he was appointed by President Arroyo as press undersecretary in-charge of broadcast. In 2004, he was appointed as the head of the Government Media Group, which oversees various government media entities.

Remonde used to be an anchor of radio station dyLA based in Cebu City. He was also formerly the national chairman of the Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster ng Pilipinas and the first to be elected for six terms.

Prior to his appointment as PMS director-general on October 2006, he was the lead convenor of the National Anti-Poverty Commission.

He was named Most Outstanding Cebuano in 1999 and a year later he was awarded as Most Outstanding Visayanian in the field of Mass Media.

Jesus Dureza, the current press secretary will become the Presidential legal counsel, a seat that was vacated by Sergio Apostol Jr. last year.

Esperon’s post will be taken by Philippine National Police chief Avelino Razon Jr., who is currently the deputy director-general of the National Security Council.

Land Transportation Office chief Alberto Suansing will become undersecretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications replacing Maria Elena Bautista, who will sit as administrator of the Maritime Industry Authority.

Executive secretray Eduardo Ermita, who will still be the presidential spokesperson said that former PNP chief Arturo Lomibao will either be appointed as chief of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board or LTO chief. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/NLQ   (THE FREEMAN)