Cabinet members undergoing performance review

Performance and accomplishments while in office will be the benchmark by which each member of the Cabinet will be evaluated as their appointments are now being reviewed by President Arroyo preparatory to the formation of her new Cabinet.

Meanwhile, Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay said the President’s choices for her new Cabinet are crucial to the success of the Arroyo administration, as he advised her to pick the "best and brightest" officials to chart the country’s direction over the next six years.

Deputy Presidential Spokesman Ricardo Saludo said yesterday that Mrs. Arroyo is now in the process of fine-tuning her Cabinet for the next six years of her tenure as president.

However, Saludo refused to say when the President would announce her new Cabinet team, which she will appoint on June 30, immediately after her oath-taking and inaugural rites.

All Cabinet members, including presidential advisers, earlier submitted their courtesy resignations. The entire Cabinet is co-terminus with the President - meaning their tenure expires at the same time Mrs. Arroyo’s does.

The President is convening her Cabinet today at Malacañang.

Saludo said he was not aware if any of these courtesy resignations were accepted by the President or not.