Palace: No Cabinet revamp to accommodate defeated LP bets

Malacañang on Wednesday reiterated that there will be no Cabinet revamp just to accommodate the members of President Benigno Aquino III’s Liberal Party who lost in last year’s elections. At a press briefing, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said they have heard over the past few weeks certain personalities who allegedly wanted certain positions, but added that President Aquino is satisfied with his present Cabinet members. “I think that these names have come out for a particular position. But, again, let me go back to the fact that the President did say that he is happy with his Cabinet and that almost all those positions that are existent are now filled," she said. There were reports that defeated senatorial candidates Rufino Biazon and Risa Hontiveros were eyeing a post at the Department of National Defense or Department of Tourism, and National Anti-Poverty Commission, respectively. Asked if the defeated candidates will be accommodated in positions not on the Cabinet level, Valte said there were no discussions yet to that effect. “But, again, I’d like to reiterate (presidential spokesperson Edwin) Lacierda’s appeal for us to wait should the President be making any announcements—to wait for such announcement to happen because, at this point, it’s pure speculations," she said. The constitutional ban on appointing defeated candidates in the last elections will lapse on May 11. One of those expected to be appointed is Aquino’s running-mate, former Senator Manuel Roxas II. Lacierda earlier said that an administrative order defining the role of Roxas in the Aquino administration is now in the works. - KBK, GMA News