Palace ready to replace Bayani Fernando at MMDA

While Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando has not made clear if he will quit his post to run in the 2010 elections, Malacañang is ready to replace him if he does so. Fernando, however, did not make clear if he would push his plan to run for president in the 2010 elections. Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita on Thursday said Fernando’s case is also true for some 17 Cabinet members who are reportedly planning to run for elective posts next year. “Wala pang sinasabi si Pangulo pero siguradong may kapalit sa kanya, maaaring manggagaling sa loob o sa labas. Marami tayong competent official na pwede pumalit sa posisyon na yan (President Arroyo has not indicated if Fernando will quit but we have lined up his replacement should he decide to leave. We have many competent officials who can replace him)," Ermita said in an interview on dzXL radio, when asked about Fernando’s status. Fernando earlier voiced dismay over the administration Lakas-Kampi-CMD’s choice of then Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. as its standard bearer. [See: Bayani hits ‘favoritism’ within Lakas-Kampi] Early on, Fernando expressed his intention to run for president, hoping that the ruling party would pick him as its standard bearer. Although Fernando had indicated he will still pursue his political plans after failing to get the blessings of the administration party, he has not made clear what elective position he will seek. Even if there is no immediate replacement for Fernando, Ermita said MMDA deputy chairman Cesar Lacuna will be tapped for the job. On the other hand, Ermita said the Palace is inclined to pick from the ranks of undersecretaries the replacements for Cabinet members who will resign to run in the 2010 elections. “We have career undersecretaries who the President said can serve as officers-in-charge while we look for potential replacements, or serve as acting secretaries so that government service will not be affected," he said. - GMANews.TV