Palace: Expect cabinet ‘overhaul’ by November

MANILA, Philippines – After the “transfer" of Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez to another post, Malacañang on Tuesday hinted at an overhaul of the Cabinet between November and December.

Deputy Presidential Spokeswoman Lorelei Fajardo said that all appointed officials would have to resign, particularly those planning to run in the 2010 polls.

“Lahat actually na appointed ni Pangulo, lahat na nagtatrabahgo except for incumbent kasi katatakbo lang ng parehong position, e kailangan mag-resign kung sila magfa-file ng candidacy nila," she said in an interview on dwIZ radio.

[All appointees of the President who will run in the 2010 elections will have to file their resignations by then.]

She did not name the members of the official family who are planning to run come May 2010, but said November is the deadline for filing of certificates of candidacy.

When asked if the public could expect new faces in the Cabinet by December 2009, she said, “Dapat, yes, tama yan [The public could, yes, that is right)."

On Monday, Malacañang confirmed the transfer of Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez to a new post as chief presidential legal counsel. To replace Gonzalez is Solicitor General Agnes Devanadera.

Gonzalez said in a radio interview Monday he was not sure if he should accept the post, adding he may act as a private lawyer of former Senior Superintendent Cezar Mancao II in the Dacer-Corbito case.

But Fajardo insisted it was Gonzalez who asked for the transfer to a “less demanding" job.

Fajardo noted Gonzalez was planning to take a sick son to France for treatment, and is also likely to resign in November so he could run for the mayoral race in Iloilo City.

GMANews.TV

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Tags: 2010, Lorelei Fajardo, Malacañang, Raul Gonzalez