Claudio named new PLLO chief

President Arroyo has appointed a Lakas-NUCD stalwart and former adviser of former President Fidel Ramos to head the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO).

Gabriel "Gabby" Claudio, who served as Ramos’ presidential adviser on political affairs, will replace Bernardino Abes.

Claudio was originally designated by Mrs. Arroyo to be her adviser on strategic concerns, but he never assumed the post and was not sworn into office.

He is closely identified with Ramos, joining the former leader’s RP Dev think tank after leaving Malacañang.

Joey Rufino, another Lakas stalwart and Arroyo appointee, has yet to be officially sworn in as presidential adviser on political affairs.

Palace sources said members of the ruling Lakas were being boxed out from appointments by their partners in the People Power Coalition (PPC).

"The Lakas-NUCD boys have been complaining about appointees of the President, who ironically is their party leader. It is the Reporma boys of Executive Secretary Renato de Villa who are lording it over the Palace," one insider claimed.

The source said this is the reason why Lakas strongly feels that there have been obvious attempts to block the appointment of party members to Palace positions, as in the case of Claudio and Rufino. – Marichu Villanueva