Fewer advisers for Aquino

MANILA, Philippines – President Aquino does not intend to hire many advisers and consultants to streamline the government bureaucracy and save money, Malacañang said yesterday.

Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Secretary Ricky Carandang said Mr. Aquino does not want more advisers and consultants that the government would have to pay regularly.

“And part of what he wants to do is to streamline the government, not make it as top heavy as it used to be. In general, I would think that the guidelines would be fewer advisers are better,” Carandang said in a press briefing.

“He doesn’t feel it’s necessary to have so many advisers. There are Cabinet positions that have the portfolios that need to be addressing these issues so sometimes the idea of having an adviser is just a little redundant. His feeling is that, let’s have a smaller but more efficient government,” Carandang said.

Carandang made the statement as some of the presidential advisers and consultants were waiting for the President to renew their appointments.

He also said the government’s resources must be considered.