Philippine President Reviewing Cabinet ReplacementsPhilippine President Joseph Estrada is now reviewing a list of possible replacements for cabinet officials who will run in the 2001 elections.Finance Secretary Jose Pardo said December1 this would help ensure the smooth operations of government while the president faces an impeachment trial before the Senate. "While the impeachment process is starting, some cabinet members expressed interest to run in next year's polls and this will trigger a reorganization in the cabinet," Pardo said in a statement. The president has assured the public that his administration's series of reform initiatives and priority programs would proceed without delays despite the ongoing impeachment process triggered by the charges hurled against him. Estrada is also reviewing the list of cabinet members who have expressed their intention to run in next year's national and local elections. "We will put together a new team," Pardo said, adding that the government would also have new cabinet clusters to focus more on the priorities of the Estrada administration for next year. Pardo said the government's priorities for the first half of 2001 would include stimulating investments in the housing and construction sectors to spur economic growth and generate more jobs. Mass housing is one of the Estrada administration's centerpiece programs, alongside peace and order, electoral reforms, the fight against graft and corruption and food security. |
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