Solon: Cabinet revamp offers no new prospect for growth

MANILA, Philippines — A senator on Wednesday said the public couldn’t expect much from the latest Cabinet revamp as it “offers no new prospect for the growth of the country." Senator Francis Pangilinan said, "We don't expect much from this. It's just going to be politics and governance as usual. Walang masyadong maaasahang pagbabago ang taumbayan dito! [the public cannot expect much from this]" Pangilinan said in a statement posted on Senate website. This was Pangilinan's reaction when Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita announced that the President had reshuffled her Cabinet members. The revamp is "mere rigodon of the same cheerleaders," he said adding, "There are no new faces, no new inputs, no new direction. So what is the point of a revamp if there will be no fresh initiatives?" Ermita announced the following changes in the Cabinet: * presidential adviser on the peace process Hermogenes Esperon Jr. will head the Presidential Management Staff, replacing Cerge Remonde; * Esperon's post will be taken up by former National Police chief Avelino Razon Jr., currently deputy director-general of the National Security Council; * Remonde will be the new press secretary, replacing Jesus Dureza; * Dureza will be the new presidential legal counsel; * Alberto Suansing of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) will become undersecretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), replacing Maria Elena Bautista, who will concentrate as administrator of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) * Former National Police chief Arturo Lomibao will either be named chief of the LTO or Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Ermita said the reshuffle would take effect Feb. 1. - Aie BAlagtas See, GMANews.TV