Press usec named head of IBC-13

Malacañang confirmed yesterday reports that Press Undersecretary for Broadcast Cerge Remonde will soon be named chairman of the board of the Intercontinental Broadcasting Corp. (IBC-13).

Press Undersecretary Roberto Capco said Remonde would be joining IBC-13 president and general manager Renato Bello in handling the sequestered television network as his resignation took effect yesterday.

Remonde will be reportedly replaced by Trade and Industry director for public relations Romeo "Butch" Pajarillo.

Capco, however, refused to confirm this.

Meanwhile, National Treasurer Sergio Edeza has also expressed his intention to leave the Cabinet, citing his difficulty in meeting the demands of his work.

Edeza, before accepting the post, was the senior vice president of Metrobank.

A Malacañang official yesterday disclosed Edeza’s plan to vacate his position in September and go back to the private sector.

Edeza, according to the source, personally discussed his predicament to the President only recently.

The Chief Executive, upon learning of Edeza’s plan, however, requested the official to stay put at least until the end of the year.

Budget Secretary Emilia Boncodin in a telephone interview confirmed this, adding that Edeza is actually open about his plans of leaving the government.

"I’ve been hearing about that and it’s true in one interview, he actually said that he already wanted out. I think he wants to go back to the private sector. I hope he delays it (resignation) much longer," Boncodin said. – Paolo Romero