"I’ve worked with him well in the past. I welcome that. He’s a friend of mine," Rufino said in a radio interview yesterday.
Braganza reportedly said he does not want his old job and that he was willing to work as Rufino’s deputy.
Michael Defensor, chief of the Housing and Urban Development Council, earlier said Braganza told him that he preferred to go back to "political trouble-shooting," his forte.
Shortly after his appointment, Braganza resigned on April 23 after differences over turf with presidential chief of staff Rigoberto Tiglao and his deputy, then press undersecretary Roberto Capco.
But he was told by the President to think things over and just go on medical leave. Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said Braganza could come back "any time."
Braganza, who majored in political science at De La Salle University, was expected to report back to the press office last June 2 but did not show up.
Malacañang sources told The STAR that Press Undersecretary Milton Alingod, who took over Braganza’s job, would be formally appointed to the post and Braganza would be given a new assignment.
The Palace has yet to announce Braganza’s new job. – Marichu Villanueva