Icban assumes post Monday (3:49 p.m.)

MANILA -- Appointed Acting Press Secretary Crispulo “Jun” Icban said that he will assume the post of late Press Secretary Cerge Remonde on Monday.

Icban, during his visit at the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) Wednesday morning, said that in respect of Remode, he will let the nine days of the deceased Cabinet official pass before he take his post.

The 74-year-old Manila Bulletin editor-in-chief said he considered the Cebuano newsman as his friend and he felt sorry for his untimely death.

Greeted by some Malacanang reporters and OPS personnel, Icban said he is too old for the job as press secretary but he could not say no to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who is a fellow Kapampangan.

Arroyo personally asked Icban to become the acting press secretary during the induction of officers and directors of the Capampangans in Media Inc. (Cami) a day after Remonde’s death. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)