Thursday, July 08, 2004 Arroyo open to retaining Soliman in DSWD: aide
MANILA -- Seeking to appease those who clamor for the retention of Corazon Soliman as social welfare chief, government said Wednesday that President Arroyo was keeping an open mind on their appeal.
Arroyo's spokesman Ignacio Bunye said the President was ready and willing to listen to what civil society members and lawmakers have to say about the matter.
Bunye admitted though that Arroyo has not shown any sign of changing her decision to replace Soliman with Vice President Noli de Castro.
De Castro confirmed in an earlier interview Wednesday that Arroyo promised him the social welfare portfolio even before the May 10 elections.
Asked to choose between DSWD and National Anti-Poverty Commission, de Castro said he picked the social welfare department because he believed his experience as public service program host could help him do the job well.
Bunye said Arroyo talked to Soliman before she held a press conference Tuesday and the President agreed to let the social welfare secretary announce during the conference that she was resigning in four months time and that de Castro was her replacement.
Asked for his reaction to Soliman's admission that she felt betrayed by what happened, Bunye said he preferred not to dwell on the matter anymore.
He urged the media not to harp on the negative feedback anymore.
"If you don't mind, we'd prefer not to dwell on this any further. The decision has been made. I think it's time for us to move ahead and let's try to attend to the needs of our countrymen and let's leave this issue behind," he said.
Bunye said all other reports on the replacement of other Cabinet members are speculations.
These include the alleged replacement of Agriculture Secretary Luis Lorenzo Jr. by either Undersecretary Cesar Drilon, brother of Senate President Franklin Drilon, or Undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante.
Rumors are also rife that Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Albert would be replaced and that Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo would be given the post on a concurrent capacity.
Bunye said a revamp is within the exclusive privilege of the President.
"We have to keep reemphasizing that all members of the Cabinet serve at the pleasure of the President, and everybody is a professional and we will accept the decision of the President when she makes the decision," he said.
He also said there is nothing wrong with appointing retired military and police officers to civilian posts because their training in the military service would be an asset to their new positions. He said what is important is that the appointees are capable. JMR
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