New DOTC chief announced this week

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang said yesterday President Aquino would likely announce the next Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) secretary within the week.

Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ricky Carandang stressed it would be best to wait for the President’s announcement rather than engage in speculations.

Sources earlier said former Sen. Manuel Roxas II was being eyed to replace Transportation Secretary Jose de Jesus, who resigned from his post effective July to go back to the private sector.

But sources disclosed Roxas declined the offer.

Over the weekend, however, sources said the President would just transfer Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras to the DOTC and already had in mind his replacement in the department he would be vacating.

“But things keep changing,” a source said, adding the President was considering both Roxas and Almendras.

There are two sides of the story on Roxas’ appointment to the DOTC – one was that he preferred to be a Palace official or chief of staff, while the other was that it was the rival group led by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. who wanted to keep him out of Malacañang.