Philippine President Rules Out Cabinet ChangesPhilippine President Joseph Estrada brushed aside as speculation Wednesday reports that another cabinet revamp is in the offing, with the agriculture and executive secretary portfolios at stake.In an statement, the president said he has not even thought of any revamp, and that any reorganization in his cabinet is likely to take place in 2001. "I am not thinking of any such revamp. Perhaps (the reorganization will happen) next year," the president said. Reports earlier indicated that the president wants to replace Executive Secretary Ronaldo Zamora with Agriculture Secretary Edgardo Angara. Zamora is rumored to be planning to run for the congressional post in San Juan city of Metro Manila. Newly resigned Ambassador to Washington Ernesto Maceda is reportedly being groomed to take Angara's place at the Department of Agriculture. The president earlier said he would conduct a reorganization of the cabinet early January in 2001, as some of his cabinet members are planning to run in the May 2001 elections. But the president also made it clear that this would be the only reason for the reorganization, as he remains satisfied with the performance of his official family. Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ricardo Puno has been touted as one of the administration coalition's top bets in the senatorial elections next May. |
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