Cabinet shakeup: Paje, Robredo to keep posts

BANGKOK—President Benigno Aquino III has decided to make permanent the appointments of Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo and Environment Secretary Ramon Paje, ending speculation that they would soon be replaced by his political allies.

The President’s announcement on Thursday night to reporters covering his state visit to Thailand negated earlier reports that losing Liberal Party senatorial candidate Nereus Acosta was a cinch for the environment portfolio. He said Acosta could help his administration better by coordinating ecological and environmental concerns.

“[Robredo] and Paje will be appointed permanently. We will forward their papers to the Commission on Appointments,” Mr. Aquino said.

He likewise disclosed that he was talking with two other Cabinet members, “one of whom might be shifted in terms of his responsibilities.”

The President also said as much in a briefing last night at the airport following his arrival in Manila.

He said certain issues were confronting the official’s agency and that if these were not resolved, he might give the official “another assignment.”

“I still have to talk to people involved. There’s one in particular in mind…I’ll give him an assessment of how I think he has been performing,” Mr. Aquino told reporters in Manila.

“(Obviously), there are certain issues that are wanting. If there is no clear cut plan as to how to change that situation then I will be giving him another assignment,” he said.

Mr. Aquino wouldn’t say who the official was but said the official was among those that were at the airport in Manila during his return last night.

“I am not at liberty at this time to tell you the name. Perhaps it’s good that he was with me here. I will have to talk to him first before he hears it from you,” Mr. Aquino told reporters.

Among the officials at the airport were Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, Economic Planning Secretary Cayetano Paderanga, Transportation Secretary Jose de Jesus, Metro Manila Development Authority Chair Francis Tolentino, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, and Communications Secretaries Ramon Carandang and Herminio Coloma.

Earlier yesterday, Paje pledged “straight and true service” after hearing news that he was to become a permanent member of the Cabinet.

Robredo, for his part, said he was “grateful” although he had yet to be officially informed. He added that he would “continue what we have started.”

Functions of Roxas…

The President also told reporters in Bangkok that Malacañang was close to coming up with a clear “delineation” of the functions of his running mate, Manuel Roxas, who lost the vice presidential race in the 2010 elections to Jejomar Binay.

“We are still talking, but we are almost finished with the delineation of responsibilities,” he said.

Roxas is to soon serve as the President’s chief of staff. But he admitted that the former senator had already been helping him without being formally appointed.

Mr. Aquino said Roxas might be assigned to supervise certain political concerns, functions of the Presidential Management Staff, and “other assignments that need special attention.”

He said Roxas and Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa had already met but that they still had to list the responsibilities of their respective offices.

…And Acosta

As for Acosta, Mr. Aquino said he had yet to determine the official title of the former Bukidnon representative.

“But it’s a Cabinet rank … with a new title specifically created for him. He will help craft policies and make suggestions,” Mr. Aquino said. “It would help me have a better, sharper focus because I’ll be able to tackle [other issues] in a more in-depth manner.”

The President said the environment portfolio might only be a “distraction” for Acosta.

“If I appoint him environment secretary, there is a great tendency that it could result in political conflict that might distract him from doing his job,” Mr. Aquino said.

He said Acosta could help the government ensure the strict implementation of the Clean Air Act and check if the Land Transportation Office was carrying out its mandate to subject all vehicles to smoke-emission testing.

“In that way, I can attend to other meetings with stakeholders and have a coherent implementation of policies on environmental concerns,” he said.

‘Casual’ employee

In an interview yesterday, Paje said he was “grateful for the President’s confidence.”

“I assure the President of my straight and true service,” he said, adding that his heading the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in an “acting” capacity did not affect his work.

“I did not consider it as part of my performance. I worked thinking I was a ‘casual’ employee. No one is a permanent member of the Cabinet,” said Paje, a former undersecretary at the DENR.

Paje’s political fate was uncertain until yesterday, with reports swirling that Acosta was to take his post.

Acosta himself had said that he was being considered by Mr. Aquino to head the DENR, and had vowed to “clean up” the department.

In a statement issued on May 11, Acosta pledged to stamp out corruption, protect the environment and encourage the growth of the mining industry.

He also said he was a victim of a smear campaign to block his appointment as environment secretary.

Making a difference

In text messages sent yesterday, Robredo welcomed the news of his permanent appointment.

“Every day we need the vote of confidence of the President and the people he serves,” said Robredo, who was a multiawarded mayor of Naga City before he was appointed interior secretary.

“[I] will try my best to continue to earn it. That’s how I can make a difference in this assignment,” he said.

In a statement issued by Harvey Keh, the Kaya Natin! Movement cofounded by Robredo lauded Mr. Aquino for his decision.

“This is a clear sign that Robredo has earned the complete trust and support of the President due to his exemplary performance at the Department of Interior and Local Government,” Keh said, adding:

“Robredo has spearheaded efforts to promote transparency and accountability in the local government units and [the agencies under his supervision], which is in line with the administration’s thrust to weed out corruption.

“We believe that Robredo will continue to be one of the most hardworking Cabinet members who will always place the interest of the general public above his own.” With reports from  Kristine L. Alave and DJ Yap