Almendras niece okay on leaving energy post

Amid a Cabinet shakeup in the Aquino administration, a Cebuano undersecretary of the Department of Energy (DOE) said she’s willing to leave her post if Energy Secretary Rene Almendras is moved out by the Palace.

“We still have to wait for official order. If I’ll be transferred, I’ll think about it but I won’t insist. I will render my resignation to give the new Secretary a free mind in choosing,” DOE undersecretary Ina Magpale-Asirit told Cebu Daily News in a phone interview.

Speculations about Almendras’s appointment as transport and communications secretary came out in the national dailies.

Asirit, Almendras’s niece, said she only knew about the transfer from media.

She said Almendras will return from a trip abroad this Friday.

“The selection and designation of Cabinet officials is a prerogative of the President hence we defer to official Palace announcements on the matter,” Asirit said in a text message.

So far, Asirit said President Aquino had given his trust and confidence in Secretary Almendras.

Asirit and Almendras were among the 14 Cebuanos appointed to various government posts in the Aquino administration.

Almendras is the highest ranked Cebuano official, appointed by President Aquino at the start of his presidency last year.

There were reports that former vice presidential candidate Mar Roxas is being groomed to replace outgoing DOTC chief Jose “Ping” de Jesus.

Three top officials recruited by de Jesus to help implement reforms at the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) announced their resignations last week.

Undersecretaries Glicerio Sicat, Ruben Reinoso and Dante Velasco said they would leave the DOTC on June 30, the same day De Jesus’ resignation takes effect.

Another undersecretary, Cebuano Aristotle Batuhan, said he would  remain at his post until asked to leave by President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III. Reporter Candeze R. MongayaWith Inquirer reports