Aquino aide won’t say which Cabinet member is on the way out

MANILA, Philippines—“It can be anyone of us.”

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said any one of the Cabinet members with President Benigno Aquino at the airport on his arrival Friday night from a state visit to Thailand could be the one Aquino was alluding to for possible reassignment if issues within his department were not resolved.

“I think the Cabinet secretaries who didn’t go to the airport can all heave a sigh of relief,” Lacierda said in jest when asked if he regretted his decision to meet the President.

“You know, it can be anyone of us. It may be a cliché but we serve at the pleasure of the President. We serve at his behest,” he added.

In an interview with reporters upon his arrival, Aquino said there could be a Cabinet reshuffle wherein one of those that will be affected was with him at the airport upon his arrival on Friday evening.

Lacierda said that prior to Aquino’s departure for Bangkok on Thursday, there wasn’t any hint in Malacañang that the Chief Executive had any problem with the performance of any member of his Cabinet.

“There was no indication at all that he’s displeased with any Cabinet official. I suppose the President is keeping his cards close to his chest on this one,” Lacierda said. “This will be made clear in the coming days.”

Among the officials at the airport Friday night were Foreign Secretary Albert Del Rosario, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, Economic Planning Secretary Cayetano Paderangga, Transportation Secretary Jose De Jesus, Metro Manila Development Authority chair Francis Tolentino, Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda, and communications secretaries Ramon Carandang and Herminio Coloma.

Justice Secretary Leila De Lima was also at the airport but since the President used the pronoun “him” it was clear he was not alluding to her.

Aquino said it was good the official was with him at the airport because he would have to talk to him first lest he learn of his situation from the media.

The President was explaining to the media what made him decide to make permanent the appointments of Environment Secretary Ramon Paje and Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo when he disclosed the possibility of movements in the Cabinet.

Both Paje and Robredo also appear to be safe in their posts since they have just been made permanent.

Only a few weeks back, the President said he was happy with his Cabinet and indicated that there was no need for a revamp.

“I think there might be still be need of reshuffling in different departments, giving different assignments. I still have to talk to the people involved. There’s one in particular in mind that I would like. I’ll give him an assessment of how I think he has been performing,” Aquino said on Friday night.

“There are certain issues that are wanting. If there is no clear-cut plan as to how to change that situation then I will be giving him another assignment,” he added.

“I am not at liberty at this time to tell you the name. Perhaps, it’s good that he’s with me here. I will have to talk to him first before he hears it from you,” Aquino told reporters.