Pangilinan may no longer join Aquino Cabinet

BALI – Former senator Francis Pangilinan may no longer join the Aquino government, but the post to be given to former senator Panfilo Lacson Jr. is being “ironed out,” President Aquino said here on Monday.

The President said he talked with Pangilinan, husband of actress Sharon Cuneta, more than a month ago to check if he was still interested in joining government, because “somebody told me that he needed to spend quality time with his family.” 

The President said family matters could have forced Pangilinan to forgo a position in the national government. 

“Perhaps he was kind of shy that after having so many meetings discussing exactly where he feels he can fit in, then all of a sudden there is a need in the family and he has two children who are quite young,” he said during an interview at the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and Spa here late Monday.  

“Perhaps he was told: Your daddy will no longer be as busy, and he will not be running (in elections), and that he will not be attending to this and to that,” he added. 

Aquino said he accepted Pangilinan’s explanation “at face value” and respected his decision.