DOLE chief brushes aside acting secretary status

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz on Wednesday broke her silence by brushing aside speculations that she may not last long in the Aquino Cabinet, saying she is too busy with her job to mind “a minor distraction." “I was aware of the reports in the media about my holding the labor and employment portfolio in an acting capacity, but I chose not to mind it until after I have reflected on the matter, as is my nature," Baldoz said in a statement posted on the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) website. “Besides, I am in the thick of things at the [DOLE] implementing the 22-point labor and employment agenda of President Benigno Aquino III. The least that I need at this time is a minor distraction," she added. It was the first time Baldoz spoke after news came out that she and two other Cabinet officials — Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo and Environment Secretary Ramon Paje — were not included in the list of appointed officials Malacañang will submit to Congress for confirmation. Thankful In her statement, Baldoz said “it is entirely up to the President to decide on the nature of my appointment." “The President has spoken about my performance and I am thankful for his generosity," Baldoz said, referring to the recent pronouncement by Aquino that she has been performing “well." Baldoz said Aquino obviously wanted competence and integrity when he asked her to take on the DOLE portfolio. “What I accepted is a position of trust and confidence, and so I am always mindful that that trust and confidence is not breached, or strained." Aquino earlier said Baldoz was “hesitant" to accept the offer of heading the DOLE, adding that he only convinced her to take up the position. “Secretary Baldoz was very hesitant to take the position. She would have preferred one of the agencies attached. I prevailed upon her and she has really been performing so well," Aquino had said. Prior to her appointment as DOLE chief, Baldoz was the administrator of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, an attached agency under DOLE. - Jerrie M. Abella/KBK, GMANews.TV