Manila: Malaca±ang on Wednesday dismissed rumors of an impending Cabinet shakeup, affirming that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. continues to trust his Cabinet, including Education Secretary Sonny Angara and Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda.
According to Philippines News Agency, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro made the clarification following reports suggesting that Angara and Aguda were allegedly at risk of losing their posts. In a Palace press briefing, Castro noted that the two Cabinet officials were present at the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting with Marcos at Malaca±an Palace in Manila on Tuesday. Castro added that both officials even presented updates on their respective projects in a private meeting with Marcos.
Castro firmly denied any impending changes, stating, "Denied po dahil kahapon lamang po ay kasama namin sila sa LEDAC meeting. At nagbigay din po sila ng mga proyekto sa private meeting with the President (It's denied because just yesterday they were with us in the LEDAC meeting, and they also presented their projects during the private meeting with the President)." She emphasized that Marcos remains satisfied with the performance of all his Cabinet secretaries, ensuring their continued trust from the President.
"Sa ngayon nakikita po ng Pangulo na ang kaniyang mga Cabinet secretaries ay nagta-trabaho. Kuntento po ang Pangulo sa kaniyang lahat ng Cabinet secretaries. at habang nanatili sila d'yan, nandiyan pa rin ang tiwala ng ating Pangulo sa kanila (For now, the President sees that his Cabinet secretaries are working. The President is satisfied with all of them. and as long as they remain in their posts, they continue to have his trust)," she said. Castro cited the government's response to recent calamities as proof of the Cabinet's steady performance. When asked if more officials are expected to be removed from office, Castro replied: "Sa ngayon, wala pa (As of now, none)."
In addition, Castro maintained that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) continues to enjoy Marcos' trust even as Congress deliberates on the proposal to create an Independent People's Commission (IPC). "Wala pa naman po 'yung batas. At tiwala po ang Pangulo sa mga ginagawa ng ICI (The law has not been passed yet, and the President trusts what the ICI is doing)," she said.
While acknowledging the limitations of the ICI, such as the absence of contempt authority, Castro asserted that the independent fact-finding body is effectively fulfilling its mandate. "Wala silang content powers because katulad ng sabihin natin, hindi ito ang purpose na isinagawa itong independent fact-finding commission, kundi mag-gather lamang ng documents, data, evidence na maitutulong kapag nais na isampa ang isang kaso sa DOJ (Department of Justice) o sa Ombudsman (It lacks contempt powers. But that's not its purpose. Its role is to gather documents, data, and evidence to support case filings before the DOJ or the Ombudsman)," Castro explained.
Castro also addressed concerns that the proposed IPC may duplicate the functions of the Ombudsman, noting that Marcos has instructed lawmakers to examine the proposal carefully. "Nagbigay ng opinyon ang Pangulo na tignan lamang kung hindi magkakaroon ng duplication of work, especially with the Ombudsman, at hindi ma-weaponize ito sa pamumulitika. 'Yun ang tignan natin at aaraling mabuti (The President said lawmakers must ensure there will be no duplication of work, especially with the Ombudsman, and that it will not be weaponized politically. That is what will be carefully examined)," she concluded.
