Aquino's economic team excluded from reshuffle

President Benigno Aquino III’s economic team — as well as Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala — can now heave a sigh of relief as they will be spared from the impending Cabinet reshuffle, no less than the President himself said on Monday. According to Aquino, he is satisfied with the performance of Secretary Cesar Purisima (Finance), Florencio Abad (Budget and Management), Gregory Domingo (Trade and Industry), and Cayetano Paderanga (National Economic and Development Authority). “Yung economy last year grew by 7.6 percent. Dapat [bang] ireshuffle natin ang economic team? Record yun," he said. In justifying why Alcala should not be included in the reshuffle, Aquino noted that dry season rice harvest grew by 14 percent. Aquino also cited Environment Secretary Ramon Paje, whom he appointed in a permanent capacity last week. Before, Paje, whom Aquino commended for lowering the pollution index in the country, was serving only in an acting capacity. “Si Mon Paje… nakatulong sa pagbababa ng ating pollution index, mula 166 na minana ko pag-assume, to 120. Dapat ba siyang di maconfirm o ma-appoint?" Aquino said. Aquino said these after reporters asked him regarding his recent statement that an official may be given another assignment if he will not have a clear-cut solution to the problems hounding his department. He refused to answer if Customs commissioner Angelito Alvarez will be replaced by July. “I will inform you as soon as a decision is made," he said. Aquino said allegations against the Bureau of Customs prompted him to evaluate not only Alvarez but other officials as well. He refused to elaborate on the allegations. “I am not singling him (Alvarez) out. Pero everybody is accountable to the people. Ako ang namili sa kanila, sinang-ayunan ng ating Commission on Appointments pero at the end of the day responsible ako sa kanilang performance and ulitin ko lang hindi sila ang sinusukat ko pati sarili ko sinusukat ko," Aquino said. Aquino said he believes the concerned official will understand if he will be given another assignment. “Ina-assess natin sila, merong hindi ako happy, sa hindi ako happy, sa hindi maipakitang dapat maretain confidence ko, palagay ko naman magkakaunawaan kami na pag hindi makakatulong dapat tatabi at maihanap ng ibang posisyon o ibang tungkulin," he said. But overall, Aquino said he is happy with his Cabinet. “Sa karamihan yung sa aking pananaw maganda takbo ng ating bansa to a large degree, [kung] papalitan mo yung mga katulong ko na nagpaganda sa sitwasyon ng pilipinas parang malabo yatang sense yun o medyo illogical yung prosesong yun," he said. — KBK, GMA News