Palace rules out Cabinet revamp

When President Arroyo delivers her policy speech this Dec. 30, expect no earthshaking announcement of any Cabinet revamp, Presidential Spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao said yesterday.

Asked why the President will not make the announcement as previously stated, he answered unequivocally: "Because there’s no urgent need at this time."

The STAR learned, however, that before the Commission on Appointments (CA) adjourned for the Christmas break last week, the President had issued new ad interim appointments to Education Secretary Edilberto de Jesus, Budget and Management Secretary Emilia Boncodin and Civil Service Commission Chairwoman Karina David.

De Jesus replaced former education secretary Raul Roco last August after he resigned from his post following graft allegations against him.

Boncodin, on the other hand, has not gone through any CA hearings as she has not submitted all mandatory documentary requirements for her confirmation. On the other hand, David was bypassed by the CA.

The President also designated Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Avelino "Nonong" Cruz as concurrent acting executive secretary while incumbent Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo is out of the country for undisclosed reasons. Romulo is rumored to be the subject of an ouster move by the so-called "civil society" bloc in the Cabinet.

Weeks before Mrs. Arroyo delivered her policy speech last Nov. 30, Tiglao also vehemently denied a rumored Cabinet revamp. But in the President’s Bonifacio Day speech, she announced the removal of Agriculture Secretary Leonardo Montemayor and Environment Secretary Heherson Alvarez.

Two weeks later, the President also sacked her socio- economic planning secretary, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) director general Dante Canlas.

In a press briefing at Malacañang yesterday, Tiglao confirmed that Mrs. Arroyo would deliver a policy speech on Dec. 30, the 106th death anniversary of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal.

But he said he could not ascertain whether the Chief Executive will make a policy announcement or just reiterate her previous policy thrusts and priority programs and projects.

He surmised, though, that the President would make a detailed presentation of her administration’s eight-point agenda for the next six months, including the creation of additional jobs for Filipinos, especially next year when the global economic community is expected to reel under a cloud of uncertainties.

Tiglao also said that the President is planning to put up a Malacañang-based body that would help combat red tape in government agencies that delay transactions of prospective businesses and investments.

The President, he added, is working out a national apprenticeship program with private business groups like the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Confederation of Exporters to provide immediate jobs for fresh college graduates next year.