Nograles, Honasan tagged as new Cabinet members

At least two legislators — a congressman and a senator — have been tagged as new members of President Rodrigo Duterte’s Cabinet partly as a result of vacancies created by the resignation of officials who are running in midterm elections next year.

The congressman is Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles, who is likely to be appointed by the President as Cabinet secretary, a position of power vacated by Leoncio Evasco Jr., who is running for governor of Bohol province.

Palace confirmation

Malacañang on Tuesday confirmed that Nograles was one of the “leading” contenders for the position.

“He’s one of those being considered,” said presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo.

“I don’t know the others, but I know, and I’ve heard that he’s one of those leading,” Panelo added.

Asked to comment on Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra’s remarks that the Davao City congressman would be appointed soon, Panelo declined, saying everyone should just wait for the President to make the announcement.

“The announcement will be made by the President himself as to other members of the Cabinet who will replace those who file their certificates of candidacy,” Panelo said.

Honasan in DICT?

Panelo could neither confirm nor deny reports that Sen. Gregorio Honasan II would be appointed head of the Department of Information and Communications Technology to replace acting Information Technology Secretary Eliseo M. Rio Jr.

A Palace source said the President was likely to announce Nograles’ appointment by next week and Honasan’s by middle of November.

Panelo said the President told him that the announcement about the new appointments would be made “most likely after the All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day holidays.”