Roxas camp reminds Poe: Aquino cabinet members to step down in June

The camp of Liberal Party standard-bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II has a “friendly reminder” to Senator Grace Poe: Cabinet members are co-terminus with the President who appointed them.

Thus, Poe cannot retain nor remove cabinet members appointed by President Aquino as they would step down from their posts when Aquino’s term ends in June, said “Daang Matuwid” coalition spokesperson and Akbayan Rep. Barry Gutierrez on Thursday.

“A friendly reminder to Senator Poe: The law is clear—specifically, Book IV, Chapter 10, Sec. 44 of the Administrative Code of the Philippines states that members of the Cabinet are co-terminus with the President who appointed them,” Gutierrez said in a statement.

“This means that they don’t have to be removed, as they are sure to step down from their posts after the term of the President. FYI (For your Information).”

This was in reaction to Poe’s pronouncement that she would not retain the heads of the Department of Communications and Transportation (DOTC), the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) should she get elected as president in May.

READ: If elected, Poe says she will remove Abaya, Henares, Alcala

DOTC is headed by Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, BIR by Kim Henares, while DA head is Secretary Proceso Alcala.

Roxas’ presidential rival had long been calling for the resignation of Abaya over the supposed mishandling of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and the worsening traffic in Metro Manila.

Poe, who was considered by the ruling party to run as its vice presidential candidate, also said earlier Roxas could have done more to alleviate transportation problems when he headed the DOTC in the past.

READ: Poe, Roxas play blame game on MRT, traffic

After making the statement, Poe quipped: “I think I just created more enemies now. I’m used to it.” CDG