Esperon is new peace adviser, Dureza named press secretary
05/18/2008 | 01:25 PM
MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang has continued the facelift of its Cabinet by naming former Armed Forces chief Hermogenes Esperon Jr as presidential adviser on the peace process — the post held by Jesus Dureza who will become the next press secretary when Ignacio Bunye joins Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ Monetary Board next month. Earlier, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo named former Justice secretary and peace negotiator Silvestre H. Bello III as Cabinet secretary, replacing Ricardo L. Saludo, who was appointed chairman of the Civil Service Commission.
The latest move was announced by Bunye in his regular newspaper column, "View from the Palace."
“Now, with the concurrence of all concerned, I am pleased to announce that Jess Dureza, currently the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, will succeed me effective June 16," he said.
Bunye said Dureza had requested President Arroyo additional time to wind down his affairs as he was still in Libya on the invitation of Col. Khadafi’s son, Sail Al Islam, who has been working for an enhanced implementation of the 1996 Peace Agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
Bunye said he had received a letter from Dureza expressing his acceptance and gratitude for his new task.
“I consider this as a progression of my work and commitment for peace and development, this time perhaps with a bigger, wider platform. I will give it my best shot. I hope I can fit in the big shoes Sec. Toting Bunye is leaving behind with distinction," Dureza’s letter read.
Bunye also said that Esperon, who officially bowed down from military service last Monday, likewise accepted the post "without batting an eyelash."
“When I advised Jun Esperon that I would be announcing his appointment and he may have to cut short his vacation, his reply, without batting an eyelash, was ‘I am awed, humbled by the big task. But the challenge is by itself the incentive and the inspiration. I'm ready, Sir,’" Bunye said in his column.
He said there would be additional changes in the coming days that involved non-Cabinet posts. - GMANews.TV
