Gonzalez: I was not informed of my oath-taking in Malacañang

MANILA, Philippines - New chief presidential legal counsel Raul Gonzalez said Thursday he was not informed of his supposed oath-taking scheduled last Wednesday in Malacañang. In an interview on dzXL radio Thursday, Gonzalez said he hasn’t moved into his office in Malacañang as it was being renovated. "Hindi ako dumalo doon [I did not attend the oath-taking]. I was not advised about it," he said. The absence of Gonzalez fueled speculations that he was still sulking from being yanked out of the Department of Justice (DOJ). Gonzalez had voiced surprise over his "dismissal" as DOJ chief as he wanted to handle the preliminary investigation into the disappearance and death of publicist Salvador "Bubby" Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito in 2000. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has named Gonzalez as chief presidential legal counsel. Solicitor General Agnes Devanadera replaced him as Justice secretary. Gonzalez said he was informed that his new office in Malacañang should have been ready for occupancy last Monday, but his move-in schedule has been repeatedly put off. "Baka Monday kung ayos na ang office. Ang office para sa akin nire-renovate. Ang advice sa akin primero Monday, tapos sabi Wednesday. Tapos sabi Friday. Tapos sa Monday uli," he said. [Perhaps I can start on my new job this Monday. The office is still being renovated and the latest advice I got was that it will be ready this coming Monday.] Despite the “rude welcome" to the Palace, Gonzalez said he will wait for Mrs. Arroyo to return from her trip to Japan and Brazil, and by then, he will take his oath. Besides, he said he can already start discharging the powers of his new office even if he has not formally taken his oath. "Siguro (Perhaps)," he said when asked about the chances of his being sworn in upon President Arroyo’s return from abroad. Gonzalez earned a reputation as one of the most rabid defenders of Mrs. Arroyo, who swore into office nearly 100 newly appointed or promoted government officials Wednesday. - GMANews.TV