PRESIDENT-ELECT Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III has not yet identified a person who would replace Raul Banias as the presidential assistant in Western Visayas, said Senator Franklin Drilon on Friday.
Drilon said Aquino has not yet completed his officials for the Cabinet, and that the presidential appointees in the regions or in lower sub-Cabinet positions are not yet ready and the applicants will have to wait for sometime.
The Ilonggo senator also confirmed that he has not endorsed any candidate for the position in the region despite reports that some individuals in Iloilo City are already lobbying for it.
"Let President Noynoy complete his Cabinet members first. I am sure the sub-Cabinet positions will be filled up as soon as possible," Drilon said.
It was reported that there is an existing mad scramble for presidential appointments in the region following the vacancies left by the co-terminus officials.
Aside from the Cabinet rank of secretaries and deputy secretaries, presidential appointees also include assistant secretaries, bureau directors, assistant directors and other positions not covered by the Civil Service Commission. (LCP)