Saturday, August 11, 2007 I am staying put as education chief: Lapus
EDUCATION Secretary Jesli Lapus said President Gloria Macapgal-Arroyo will not replace him.
"The Palace assured that I continue to enjoy PGMA's (President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) confidence," said Lapus, in reaction of reports that he is the next Cabinet officias to be axed in the revamp being implemented by the President.
Lapus, who is in Australia, said in a text message that Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita called him up to say that reports about his impending relief were "inaccurate".
"He assured me that I continue to enjoy PGMA's confidence and should not get affected by baseless intrigues. Indeed, we have so much work in progress in education that we cannot afford to be distracted by dysfunctional speculations," he said.
Rumors about Lapus's alleged impending relief surfaced when Malacanang announced that Socio Economic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri would temporarily replace Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chairman Carlito Puno "to troubleshoot in the ailing education sector."
Employees of the Department of Education (DepEd) surmised there would be an overhaul of the education sector after two names - former senator Tessie Aquino-Oreta and DepEd Undersecretary Vilma Labrador - were reportedly being eyed to replace Lapus.
To preempt Lapus's supposed relief, the DepEd Union members headed by Domingo Alidon came out with a statement of support for the DepEd chief. They said Lapus had done so much in such a short time. (AH/Sunnex)
