Laquian: I can work with anybody

Incoming Presidential Chief of Staff Aprodicio Laquian assured yesterday that he can work with anybody in Malacañang after he took his oath of allegiance for his new post.

The former professor was given his appointment papers after he renounced his acquired Canadian citizenship.

At the launching of the coffee table book "The Millennium President," President Estrada acknowledged the arrival of Laquian whom he introduced as "my future chief of staff."

Laquian and his wife Eleanor wrote the book entitled "Joseph 'Erap' Ejercito, the Centennial President" published by the Institute of Asian Research, University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada.

In a press briefing, Mr. Estrada clarified, however, that he has not officially appointed Laquian as Palace chief of staff, but added that he may do so very soon.

For his part, Laquian said he is willing "to serve for nothing."

Executive Secretary Ronaldo Zamora said Mr. Estrada has already instructed him to draft an executive order creating the presidential chief of staff portfolio.

Zamora did not say, however, the exact relationship between the Presidential Chief of Staff Office and the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) Office.

But Laquian said a new PMS head who would report to him as a subordinate may be appointed soon.

"According to the plan, the PMS will be headed by somebody, but will be reporting to me as chief of staff. So my main role will be a strategic person looking at all decisions made by the President, those involving P50 million and above," Laquian revealed.

Zamora said he welcomes the addition of Laquian into the President's official family, as he dismissed an alleged turf war between his office and the PMS headed by Leonora de Jesus.

Presidential Spokesman Fernando Barican denied that De Jesus would be relieved as PMS chief and designated as full-time chairwoman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council which post she holds concurrently.