Malacañang is reportedly eyeing the head of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to lead the Department of National Defense after Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, who is resigning soon to prepare for his run for the presidency in next year’s election. A source who is privy to the development said LTO Secretary Arturo Lomibao, a former chief of the Philippine National Police, is just waiting for the official marching order from the Palace.
Lomibao, who took over the Land Transportation Office top post early this year, reportedly decided to drop his plan to run as congressmen of the 4th district of Pangasinan.
“We have discussed replacements for Teodoro but until the appointment is announced, the decisions are not final. We have discussed the matter and we are ready to replace any Cabinet member who will leave for one reason or another,” Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said in a radio interview on Sunday.
Besides Lomibao, the other contenders for the National Defense portfolio were Presidential Management Staff Secretary Hermogenes Esperon Jr. and National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales.
Former Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. had been taken off the list after he resigned to pursue his presidential bid in the 2010 election. Victor Domingo has taken over the post as Public Works department chief.
Lomibao and Esperon were among those implicated in the controversial “Hello Garci” recording of the alleged telephone conversations between former Commission on Elections Commissioner Jose Gar-cilliano and President Gloria Arroyo in 2004 election.
Teodoro refused to speculate on his replacement, saying it is the President’s call.
The Defense chief will be resigning on November 16 to prepare for his campaign as the standard-bearer of the Lakas-Kampi CMD coalition party for the 2010 election.
“I really have to resign because I am one of the principal contenders, if not the only one,” Teodoro said.
Teodoro’s resignation will come roughly two weeks before the scheduled deadline for the filling of certificate of candidacy for national candidates, which is December 1.
The Palace has already replaced Cabinet members who resigned from their posts so they can run in the 2010 elections.
Among those who had resigned and were replaced, besides Ebdane, were Avelino Razon Jr., former Presidential Peace Process adviser, replaced by Annabelle Abaya; Ralph Recto, former head of the National
Economic and Development Authority, replaced by Augusto Santos; and Eduardo Manzano, former Optical Media Board chairman, replaced by Ronnie Ricketts.
Razon is running for Manila mayoralty, while Recto and Man-zano are making their bids for seats in the Senator.
There are reports that Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes is eyeing the Taguig City mayoralty and Environment Secretary Jose Atienza Jr., the presidency, allegedly with the support of pro-life groups.
Without giving names, Remonde said there will no new faces in the Cabinet, adding the plan is to get replacements from within the ranks of the executive department.
By Jefferson Antiporda and Angelo S. Samonte, Reporters
The Manila Times
Monday, 09 November 2009 00:00
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