Press Secretary Cris Icban Jr. today assured that government operations remain on track, with the new appointees to the Cabinet providing continuity of services as they took over from those who resigned recently to seek elective positions in the May 10 elections.
“We have good reason to be confident that continuity of government operations and services to the people is sustained, if not enhanced, since most of the new appointees are career officials with impeccable track records as public servants,” Icban told Malacanang reporters during a media briefing this afternoon.
“We are also highly confident that implementation of government projects, notably those enunciated by the President in her State of the Nation addresses, would push through without unnecessary delays despite changes in the Cabinet,” Icban added.
He said the recent cabinet shuffle consequent to a Supreme Court ruling on the tenure of appointive officials running for elections “in all likelihood, would be the last in the Arroyo Cabinet,”
During the same media briefing, newly appointed Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza announced that former Undersecretary Anneli R. Lontoc of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has taken over his DOTC post.
Mendoza left the DOTC after President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo designated him as replacement for Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita who is pursuing a bid for a Congress seat representing Batangas province.
Mendoza also disclosed that Cebu Ports Authority chief Angelo Verdan was appointed as the Maritime Industry Authority administrator vice Ma. Elena Bautista who moved over to the Presidential Management Staff.Inducted on Monday were Office of the Government Corporate Counsel head Alberto G. Agra as Justice Secretary, replacing Agnes Devanadera; former Undersecretary Bernie G. Fondevilla vice Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap; former Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Administrator Ma. Elena H. Bautista replacing Presidential Management Staff (PMS) Director General Secretary Hermogenes Esperon Jr.; TESDA deputy director general for fields operation Rogelio Peyuan vice TESDA Director Deneral Secretary Augusto Syjuco; Deputy Executive Secretary Joaquin Lagonera replacing Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr.; and Deputy Executive Secretary Natividad Dizon vice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, the President’s chief presidential legal counsel. Devanadera is vying for a congressional seat in Quezon province while Esperon is running as a representative of a district in Pangasinan. Yap is seeking to be a Representative of Bohol. Syjuco and Andaya are also candidates for congressional seats in their respective provinces of Iloilo and Camarines Sur, respectively, while Gonzalez is running for mayor in Iloilo City. |
