NEXT DOTC CHIEF EX-CABINET MAN / NOY: DE JESUS SUCCESSOR? NO PROBLEM
MANILA, JUNE 6, 2011 (STAR) By Delon Porcalla - The successor of outgoing Secretary Jose de Jesus in the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) used to be a Cabinet member who is also familiar with the technical side of the agency, President Aquino said.
"First, he was a Cabinet secretary…no clues, but he is not a stranger to you guys," Aquino earlier told newsmen.
Aquino spoke of his ideal DOTC chief even before reports circulated that Energy Secretary Rene Almendras was moving to the agency.
There were also reports that former senator Manuel Roxas II was being groomed to take the helm of the DOTC. Roxas had served two administrations as trade secretary.
However, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte yesterday advised the public to wait for the President to make the announcement on who will replace De Jesus, whose resignation takes effect on June 30.
Valte pointed out Aquino is very careful about giving statements that could hint at or even identify the people affected by movements in the Cabinet.
"At this point, we don't know (who he will appoint as DOTC secretary). All those reports are speculations," Valte said, referring to Roxas and Almendras as possible replacements.
"While we understand the amount of interest, it is better for us to wait for the announcement of the President. He's keeping his cards close to his chest," Valte said over state-run radio dzRB.
Aquino earlier spoke of the candidate at the DOTC without mentioning which administration the incoming secretary had served.
"I approached somebody who answered 'if you need me there, okay.' But at the same time he said: 'since this is out of the blue and there was not even a hint, maybe it would be better if I think things over'," Aquino told reporters when he was on a state visit in Brunei last week.
Aquino said he would be expecting a reply from the candidate this week.
Aquino stressed he needs the candidate to head the DOTC.
"The position is one of utmost trust, somebody who can be compulsive in trying to ferret out everything. To a large degree, it's really the management aspect, then you have the background or backups," he said.
Aquino explained the DOTC was regarded as among the top three or four most corrupt agencies in government, and the job requires technical expertise, especially in view of the testimony of whistleblower Rodolfo Lozada Jr. in the bungled $329-million national broadband network deal.
"Isn't it Jun Lozada said the people are getting confused because the agency is so technical?" he asked.
"As a manager, you look for the right resource, the right technical experts, to help you."
He said the qualifications of the manager who will handle the job at DOTC should be "superb."
De Jesus, on the other hand, described the reported selection of Almendras as his possible replacement as an "inspired choice" by the President.
"If true, that would be an inspired choice on the part of the President," De Jesus told The STAR in a text message reply to a request for his comment on the matter.
"Secretary Almendras is eminently qualified for the position," De Jesus added.
De Jesus though did not explain why he resigned as DOTC chief, although Malacañang earlier said it was for "personal reasons."
DOTC Undersecretary Dante Velasco had said De Jesus wants to go back to private life, after completing the one year that he had apparently given himself to serve at the DOTC.
On the other hand, Sen. Franklin Drilon doused reports that Roxas would replace De Jesus at the DOTC.
"(He is going to) Malacañang as chief of staff, as far as I know," Drilon said.
Drilon said DOTC was not in the equation since Roxas' pending appointment as presidential chief of staff came even before De Jesus resigned last week.
Drilon said it is just a matter of time before Roxas is appointed to his post after a clear delineation of responsibilities has been established vis-à-vis the role of Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr.
Drilon added that Roxas' authority would also include powers as presidential adviser on political affairs, a position for which Roxas is qualified because he is Liberal Party president.
Drilon also belied speculations of a power struggle at Malacañang.
He blamed media reports amid open criticisms coming from some officials belonging to the President's inner circle. "There is no such thing," Drilon said over dzBB radio yesterday. – With Rainier Allan Ronda, Christina Mendez
FROM MALAYA
De Jesus' successor? No problem, says Palace BY REGINA BENGCO
MALACAÑANG yesterday said President Aquino is not having difficulty finding a replacement for outgoing Transportation Secretary Jose de Jesus, whose resignation will take effect on June 30.
Two names have cropped up as possible replacements, which the Palace has both dismissed.
De Jesus has said that he wanted to return to private practice.
Aquino said last week that De Jesus' replacement is a former Cabinet secretary who is well known to the media.
The name of former senator Manuel Roxas II, who is also former trade secretary, came up but reports said it is not possible because an administrative order delineating Roxas' functions as presidential chief of staff is being finalized.
Over the weekend, reports said Aquino is eyeing Energy Secretary Rene Almendras to be the next DOTC chief, and that Emmanuel Ledesma Jr., president and chief executive officer of the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp., would replace Almendras.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said there is no truth to reports about Almendras' lateral transfer. "It's all speculation," he said.
Deputy presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte said Aquino has plenty of time to choose the next transportation chief.
"I don't think the President is having difficulty…We understand the amount of interest on who will be the next DOTC secretary. It is best that we wait for the official announcement," Valte said.
She said Aquino is keeping things very close to his chest.
Aquino is expected to name this week the replacement of Bureau of Corrections chief Ernesto Diokno. Last week, the President said he was talking to Diokno's possible replacement.
Valte said the recommendation of the review panel led by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on reforms in the BuCor will ensure that reforms are implemented in the agency.
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