Mar eyed as Noy troubleshooter

MANILA, Philippines –  President Aquino disclosed yesterday that former Sen. Manuel Roxas II would definitely join his Cabinet as a “troubleshooter” by June when the one-year ban on the appointment to government of losing candidates in the elections last May expires.

“He (Roxas) might be one of my chief troubleshooters. There’s something that needs more intense attention that I’m asking him to do, that is, if he is willing,” Aquino told reporters shortly after the New Year vin d’honneur.

Aquino said he and Roxas are still in the process of detailing how his former running mate could help the government, especially since they agree on how the reform agenda could be pushed in the shortest possible time.

“We are still threshing out the details because the end of the ban will take effect on June 30. But I will really be tapping his expertise in so many aspects,” Aquino explained.

There are also speculations that Roxas might replace Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., who said is he is not bothered by such rumors since he is aware that all Cabinet members serve at the pleasure of the President.

“I, like everybody else, serve at the pleasure of the President,” Ochoa told radio dzRH.

“They are always in constant touch with each other,” he added, referring to the chief executive’s conversations with Roxas, president of the Liberal Party that includes Aquino.

The President, however, refused to identify who among the current Cabinet members would be affected by the minor revamp this month, hinting that only one or two might have to go, while two or three might be reshuffled in the sub-Cabinet level.

“Can I just announce it when it’s finally done? We’re still talking to some of the other people. But this is a very, very minor (revamp),” said Aquino.

One of the secretaries that might be replaced is acting Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, whose replacement is reportedly Cavite Rep. Ireneo Maliksi, an LP stalwart and former Cavite governor.

Reports said that Robredo would be transferred to the Presidential Commission on Urban Poor.

Former Bukidnon Rep. Nereus Acosta, a defeated LP senatorial candidate in the May 2010 polls, might replace Environment Secretary Ramon Paje.

There were also rumors Roxas might replace Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, who might be transferred to the Department of Trade and Industry to replace Secretary Gregory Domingo who reportedly wants to return to the private sector.

Aside from the finance department, Roxas is reportedly interested also in the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Foreign Affairs.

However, the Commission on Appointments has just confirmed Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala while Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo has the backing of Aquino’s sisters and also the influential Iglesia ni Cristo.

Another defeated LP senatorial candidate, Dr. Martin Bautista, could also replace Health Secretary Enrique Ona.

There were also reports that former Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon, son of former senator and incumbent Muntinlupa Rep. Rodolfo Biazon, might take over the post of Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim after the Department of Tourism’s controversial promotion plan dubbed as “Pilipinas kay Ganda” was canceled.

The young Biazon, like Roxas, Acosta and Bautista, is also covered by the one-year ban on losing poll candidates.