Palace to Osmeña: President entitled to decide on his Cabinet

President Benigno S. Aquino III talks with Secretary Herminio B. Coloma Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang on Thursday said President Benigno Aquino III would be the one to decide on matters concerning his Cabinet members, apparently dismissing Senator Sergio Osmeña’s stinging critique of the chief executive’s managerial style.

“We respect the views of Senator Osmeña,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said in a televised press briefing.

Osmeña on Thursday called Aquino a good and honest man but an “awful” and “poor” manager for not heeding his advice to fire Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla.

“The President is entitled to decide on the members of his Cabinet,” Coloma said, before giving a tight-lipped smile.

The Senator complained that while Petilla was also a good man, he was not focused on his work.

Petilla made headlines last year for promising to resign if he was not able to restore energy in areas devastated by Super Typhoon “Yolanda.” However, Aquino rejected his resignation because of his accomplishments.

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