Deputy presidential spokesman Abigail valte said President Aquino must have been  misquoted when he was reported to have hinted that presidential management staff (PMS) chief Secretary Julia Abad as “moving out.”
Valte explained that Abad is moving out because of the need to conduct major “retro-fittings” in her work place, but the PMS head has not been not taken out from the Cabinet, where she, says the Palace mouthpiece, seemed to be effectively doing her job.
“There has been some structural problems in their building,” Valte said.
On reports of the President’s picking a new energy secretary to replace Jose Almendras, who would assume the PMS post, the Malacañang official said they are not aware of any imminent cabinet revamp taking soon.
Valte claimed that “Energy Secretary Almendras stays at the Department of Energy (DoE),” dispelling speculations of the entry of former finance Undersecretary Emmanuel Bonoan into the Aquino circle. Bonoan, who was recommended by Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, is closely identified with the Lakas-NUCD and its pillar former President Fidel  Ramos.
A news report published in another daily said Bonoan would officially take over the DoE on Aug. 1, replacing Almendras whom the President allegedly wanted to be the “Secretary of the Cabinet” whose wtask would be to ensure compliance of government department executives to the presidential directives. It is the PMS that is reportedly discharging the function until a plantilla shall have been formally created.
“The President said a few months back that any announcement for changes in the Cabinet will be made officially. Second, we spoke to (Almendras) this morning and he confirmed that he continues to be the Energy Secretary come Aug. 1,” Valte said, adding that “as to Mr. Bonoan, we have no information as to that effect. So, yes, that report was incorrect.”
Pressed to expound on what awaits the Cabinet secretaries whom the President seemed to have missed out in his third State of the Nation Address last Monday, the Palace official described the President as being satisfied with the performance of the entire Cabinet, dispelling rumors that those who were not mentioned would be fired.