Gov’t operations continue; more new appointees

Press Secretary Cris Icban Jr. today assured that government operations remain on track, with the new appointees to the Cabinet providing continuity of services as they took over from those who resigned recently to seek elective positions in the May 10 elections.

“We have good reason to be confident that continuity of government operations and services to the people is sustained, if not enhanced, since all the new appointees are career officials with impeccable track records as public servants,” Icban told Malacanang reporters during a media briefing this afternoon.

“We are also highly confident that implementation of government projects, notably those enunciated by the President in her State of the Nation addresses, would push through without unnecessary delays despite changes in the Cabinet,” Icban added.

He said the recent cabinet shuffle consequent to a Supreme Court ruling on the tenure of appointive officials running for elections “in all likelihood, would be the last in the Arroyo Cabinet,”

During the same media briefing, newly appointed Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza announced that former Undersecretary Anneli R. Lontoc of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has taken over his DOTC post.

Mendoza left the DOTC after President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo designated him as replacement for Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita who is pursuing a bid for a Congress seat representing Batangas province.