Cruz: No clue who will replace me

Briefly facing the media after almost two weeks of self-imposed seclusion, outgoing Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz Jr. said he does not know who will replace him when he packs his bags and takes a much-needed vacation abroad.

Cruz told reporters he was busy preparing for his report to President Arroyo and added that he does not have any plans yet on what to do when he returns from his vacation.

"I will rest for a while and then I will think on what to do with my life after that," Cruz said in an ambush interview at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel, where he attended the University of the Philippines College of Law alumni homecoming Friday evening.

He said he was still undecided if he would rejoin the Villaraza and Angcangco Law office, which he co-founded. It has been dubbed "The Firm" due to its perceived closeness to Malacañang.

Asked why he resigned, Cruz answered the question with a laugh and tapped the shoulder of the reporter who asked him the question.

Cruz said he was busy finishing his accomplishment report on his stint as defense secretary, which lasted over two years.

"It (report) can hopefully be helpful as a guide to whoever takes over at the department... We will recommend that they take the transition mechanism for a nice and smooth turnover," Cruz said.

He had called on his would-be successor to continue the Philippine Defense Reform program, his brainchild to modernize and upgrade the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Asked who would succeed him, Cruz said: "I don’t know yet; I think you know better."

One of those reportedly being considered to take over Cruz’s post is Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane.

There were reports that Ebdane’s post has already been offered to former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief and National Irrigation Administration chief Arturo Lomibao.

Other contenders reportedly include former AFP chiefs Narciso Abaya and Roy Cimatu, and Reps. Jose Solis of Sorsogon and Prospero Pichay of Surigao del Sur.

Cruz also downplayed his absence at a National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) meeting last week, saying it was a "coincidence" that the President presided over the meeting along with Ebdane.

He said he presided over an NDCC meeting last Tuesday on rehabilitation works for the Southern Leyte landslide last February.

Cruz also described his relationship with Mrs. Arroyo as "amicable" and that they remain on speaking terms.

Asked if Mrs. Arroyo stopped him from leaving her Cabinet, Cruz said, "That will be a story for another day. I have to finish my report, that’s why I don’t want to answer your questions."

Cruz resigned amid reports he drew the ire of some Cabinet colleagues for publicly criticizing the Palace-backed people’s initiative to amend the Constitution, which the Supreme Court declared as illegal.

Cruz’s fellow founding partner at "The Firm," Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, penned the decision that killed the people’s initiative.

Carpio was also present at the UP Law alumni homecoming on Friday evening, but he refused to grant media interviews.

Reporters were barred from entering the venue of the event by a female receptionist who curtly asked them to leave.

"Mga media ba kayo? Doon na lamang kayo kasi nakaka-distract kayo (Are you members of media? Stay out because you are distracting the guests)," she told reporters as she gestured for them to leave.