Almendras to PMS, Bonoan takes over energy post

06/13/2012

By Fernan J. Angeles

President Aquino, whose survey ratings are on a dangerous slide, initiated yesterday a shuffling of members of his Cabinet with the daughter of Budget Secretary Butch Abad bowing out of government service to pave the way for Energy Secretary Jose Almendras as the new chief of the Presidential Management Staff (PMS).

Despite presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierdas denial, and the usual alibis of having short or no information on media queries, Almendras is set to take over the PMS in a matter of two weeks as President Aquino has reportedly picked his preference for his replacement at the Department of Energy (DoE).

With Almendras as the new PMS chief, the President chose to get a veteran replacement for the Department of Energy (DoE). Expected to take over the post that Almendras handled for the last two years is former Finance Secretary Emmanuel Bonoan.

Aquino has long been eyeing Almendras for the position of Secretary of the Cabinet.

As it is, Aquino could no longer afford to wait longer to effect a shake-up in the Cabinet, with Julia Abads request to be relieved of her duties and assume a full time role of a wife and mother.

However, the outgoing PMS chiefs father, Budget Secretary Butch Abad, doesnt see his daughters departure as happening very soon. He however admitted that his daughter, who had just given birth, needs more family time, adding that her job at the PMS deprives her of precious time she wanted to spend with her family.

Palace reporters have been trying to get

confirmation from the Office of the Presidential Spokesman since Monday, but Lacierda claimed to be unaware of such Cabinet movement in the offing.

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Almendras to PMS, Bonoan takes over energy post