Palace on Cabinet revamp: Wait for announcement

MANILA, Philippines - A Palace official described yesterday as “incorrect” a reported minor revamp in the Cabinet by Aug.1, saying until this is officially announced nothing is definite yet.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the two officials mentioned in the story are keeping their positions.

Valte said Presidential Management Staff Secretary Julia Abad will only be “moving out” of her office because the PMS building on Arlegui St. will undergo some “retrofitting.” 

“We can confirm that Secretary Abad will be moving out of the PMS Building for retrofitting. There is some problem in their building,” she said.

As for Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Valte said he is not leaving the Department of Energy, at least for now.

“We spoke to Secretary Almendras, and he confirms that he continues to be the Energy secretary come Aug. 1.”

This belied reports that former finance undersecretary Emmanuel Bonoan would take over DOE headquarters in Bonifacio Global City.

“As to Mr. Bonoan, we have no information as to that effect (taking over DOE),” she said.

She stressed that any changes in the Cabinet would be announced officially.

“What the President said a few months back is that any announcements of changes in the Cabinet will be made officially,” Valte pointed out.

“So, that report was incorrect,” she said.

“We have said the President has said in the past few weeks that if ever there will be, the official announcement will be made. But in reference to the report in The Philippine STAR, it is incorrect,” she added.

Three Palace insiders have revealed that Almendras – a former chief executive officer – will assume the PMS post once Julia leaves government.

She was reportedly considering focusing on motherhood and settling in Washington, where her British-husband is working in the World Bank.