WASHINGTON D.C., United States — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Sunday (Monday Manila time) hinted at the possibility of him tapping candidates who lost in the 2022 national elections in his Cabinet once the one-year appointment ban has been lifted.
Marcos hesitated answering whether he will appoint 2022 candidates after the appointment ban has been lifted, but he said that there will additions to his Cabinet at the beginning of his second year in office.
He acknowledged that there are many among the candidates who are capable and willing to serve the public.
“We’ll see. Marami naman magaling na hindi nanalo sa eleksyon na gustong tumulong, so we will certainly look into that in different positions. More or less, for the beginning of the second year of my term, palagay ko mayroong — not a shuffle but we will add people to the Cabinet, to strengthen the Cabinet,” the President told reporters aboard the plane en route to Washington.
“No, I will not announce anybody. No, they should not hear it from the press. They should hear it from me. Kami muna mag-uusap,” he added.
(We will talk first.)
Marcos refused to answer further queries on the press on whether there is a shortlist of candidates, or how many are expected to be appointed.
Candidates who lost in the 2022 elections are banned from being appointed into office for one year.