In an interview with reporters after a televised round table discussion at Malacañang on the gains of her trip to Switzerland, Mrs. Arroyo said the coming vacancies in the Cabinet and other posts in the Executive branch as a result of secretaries running in the Senate derby, would be temporarily filled by officers-in-charge (OICs).
"Most probably, I’ll keep the OICs first and then make a bigger revamp later on, to rationalize a revamp after election. Because after elections, you know usually you have a fresh start. That’s when we can examine all the vacancies and then all those who are available," Mrs. Arroyo said.
The expected vacancies will come from Malacañang, starting with the post of presidential chief of staff Michael Defensor and the Health, Public Works and Optical Media departments. Defensor will run for the Senate. Health Secretary Francisco Duque and Optical Media board head Edu Manzano, on the other hand, are reportedly being considered in the administration ticket. Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, on the other hand, is expected to be appointed defense secretary this week.
A Palace official disclosed that Special Envoy for Counter-Terrorism Benjamin Defensor was told to "stand by" because Mrs. Arroyo is reportedly eyeing a post for him. — Paolo Romero