Coloma denies being appointed as next CSC chairman

“NO (such) appointment.”

So said Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma on Wednesday as he denied a published report that he would be transferred to the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

In a text message to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Coloma, who has been having a vacation in South Korea, described as “speculative” the same report, published by another daily newspaper.

He said he would be “back on duty next week” at the Presidential Communications Operations Office, or PCOO, which he has been heading since 2010.

In another text message, Secretary Joel Villanueva, director of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, or Tesda, also denied the report.

READ: Aquino: Coloma a candidate for Civil Service Commission top post

“God knows I have not accepted any post other than being Tesda chief. I took a five-day break and will meet the President next week,'” he said.

Villanueva added he would “continue to pray.”

The same report said the former legislator would replace Coloma as PCOO head.

Coloma was named PCOO chief in August 2010 and became one of the presidential spokespersons in October 2013.

The President had signed the appointment papers of Coloma and Villanueva, the report also claimed.

Coloma celebrated his 62nd birthday last March 28. Although he was on vacation leave, he still responded to the INQUIRER’s queries about some Malacañang issues.

He told this paper he would be on vacation until next Saturday, adding he would be back in Manila this weekend. SFM/AC