MANILA, Philippines?The newly appointed director general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) has been re-appointed to another office and Malacañang is taking its time to explain why.

Rogelio Peyuan had been assigned to the Office of the Press Secretary only days after taking his oath as new Tesda director general, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo confirmed Thursday night.

?It?s already settled. Roger was appointed to the OPS,? Ms Arroyo said during a dinner with reporters Thursday at a resort in Mactan, Cebu.

The President tapped Peyuan, Tesda deputy director general for operations, to replace Secretary Augusto ?Boboy? Syjuco, one of the Cabinet officials running for local positions in the May 10 national elections and deemed resigned by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

?To begin with, Boboy Syjuco does not have a Cabinet rank. Boboy Syjuco was conferred a Cabinet rank. The position itself is not a Cabinet rank. So it?s a lateral transfer,? Ms Arroyo said.

Tesda deputy director general Pastor Guiao is being eyed to head the agency, according to Press Secretary Crispulo Icban Jr.

Malacañang officials could not say why Peyuan?s appointment as Tesda chief was recalled and why he was reassigned to the OPS as undersecretary for broadcast.

Charito Planas, deputy presidential spokesperson, said Ms Arroyo had the prerogative to recall appointments.

?She has her own reasons. I?m not privy to her reasons. I cannot comment on that regard because that is an exercise of one?s power,? Planas said in a briefing.