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Palace confirms PGMA’s plan to turn over Lakas to Gibo
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Nov 7, 2009 - 8:26:36 AM

MANILA, Nov. 8 (PNA) -- Malacañang on Saturday morning confirmed reports that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo plans to turn over the leadership of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD coalition to party standard bearer Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde made this announcement in an interview over Radyo ng Bayan, saying that the President stated her desire to pass the torch of leadership to the party’s choice of standard bearer in keeping with the party tradition. She also wanted to pass the torch to the younger generation.

Reacting to the announcement of Secretary Teodoro that he is resigning on Nov. 15, Remonde said “we (the President and I) have talked about it. We are ready with the replacements for the Cabinet secretaries who will resign for their personal reasons from within the organization. Until we have finally appointed them, I would rather not talk about it."

Remonde added that Cabinet replacements will most likely come from within the ranks so there will be no need for long adjustments.

Remonde said he has decided to serve the President as her press secretary until her term ends. “If she will give me another post, I will request that it would be in addition to my being press secretary because I already have good rapport and harmonious relations with the media,” he said.

Meanwhile, Remonde said Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, a former Lakas-Kampi-CMD vice presidential aspirant, is busy supervising the preparations of the Philippine National Police operations for the rescue of Columban priest Fr. Michael Sinnott.