Noy holds Cabinet meeting in executive session

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino led a full Cabinet meeting yesterday that lasted almost five hours but Malacañang was mum on details as it was held in an executive session. 

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda, in a press briefing, said the meeting started at 10 a.m. and ended at about 2:40 p.m.  

“The President decided to hold the Cabinet executive session because there were sensitive matters discussed. We cannot say anything beyond that,” Lacierda said. 

The meeting was held amid reports that China was building structures in Panatag Shoal as well as Beijing’s decision to stop Aquino from attending the China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning, the pork barrel scam and the resignations at the National Bureau of Investigation after the President was quoted as saying there were personalities that could not be trusted within the agency. 

Lacierda said all Cabinet members were present in the meeting, except for Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II who was asked by the President to carry out some tasks in the province.

Aquino has been criticized for his alleged refusal to abolish the pork barrel despite his announcement of new mechanisms on how funds will be used and for not giving up lump sum allocations for his own office. 

However, Aquino said he was ready to account for all funds at his discretion.

The President’s decision to receive alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles in Malacañang also drew flak from some sectors for allegedly giving a fugitive from justice special treatment upon surrender.

Napoles is now detained at Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

She allegedly has information on who among lawmakers pocketed the multi-billion peso Priority Development Assistance Fund the past years through bogus non-government organizations she formed.