Mar to be a 'chief troubleshooter' in my admin — PNoy

Defeated vice presidential candidate and former Senator Manuel "Mar" Roxas II will be a "chief troubleshooter" in the Aquino administration once the one-year ban on appointing losing candidates is over, President Benigno Aquino III said Friday. At a press briefing after the vin d'honneur in Malacañang, Aquino reiterated that he plans to appoint his defeated runningmate once the ban is lifted after June 30. Aquino said he would need the expertise of Roxas, a former trade secretary and banker, on "so many aspects" of government. "He might be one of my chief troubleshooters. If there's something that needs more intense attention, I might ask him to do that if he's willing," the president said. Roxas led pre-election surveys before the May 10 elections until then Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay inched his way up in the opinion polls in the last days before the elections and ultimately secured the vice presidency. Roxas is currently contesting Binay's victory before the Presidential Electoral Tribunal. No official role in govt Even though he has no official role in government yet, Roxas has been seen in some of the president's events. He accompanied the president during the latter's first working trip to the United States last September as an unofficial adviser on business matters. Among the posts rumored to be Roxas's position in government once the one-year ban expires are that of executive secretary, finance secretary, and foreign affairs secretary. Aquino confirmed that there will be "minor" changes in the Cabinet this year, but refused to give names as of the moment. He said one or two Cabinet members and two or three officials in the sub-Cabinet level will be replaced. Aquino said he is also still in the process of choosing the replacement of Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Jose Melo, whose resignation takes effect by the end of the month. Aquino said numerous suggestions for Melo's replacement poured in from various civic, business, and Church groups. The president said he wants someone "young" but "experienced enough" to take on all of the cases pending with the Comelec and resolve them fast. Aquino said he is also still looking for the replacements of Comelec Commissioners Nicodemo Ferrer and Gregorio Larrazabal, whose terms are set to end in February this year. He said he wants one of the replacement to be an expert in information technology, since future presidential elections are expected be automated like in the last May elections. "We have an opportunity to really transform the electoral process through the selection of these people. That's the only criteria: will you abe able to do the job that is expected of you?" said the president. — RSJ, GMANews.TV