Gonzales will replace Claudio who quit the Cabinet for health reasons, according to Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye.

Bunye said the President accepted "with regret" the resignation of Claudio who requires "months of rehabilitation" after undergoing a complicated spinal surgery.

"The President thanked Secretary Claudio for his invaluable service. The President has named Secretary Bert Gonzales as temporary replacement," Bunye said.

As presidential political adviser, Gonzales will have oversight functions over the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO), the Office of External Affairs, and the Office of the Political Coalition Affairs.

Gonzales sat as officer-in-charge of the Department of National Defense last month until Gilberto Teodoro Jr. recently took over the office. He also served as President Arroyo’s chief of staff from August, 2004, to February, 2005, as well as her adviser for special concerns from February, 2001, to January, 2004.

Claudio, 52, said he quit the Arroyo government, which he has served since 2001, so he could recuperate from a spinal operation last Aug. 8. "I’ve resigned to avail of as much time and opportunity as needed to fully and permanently recover from my back ailments," he said.

Claudio filed a one-month medical leave from the Cabinet last Aug. 6 to undergo surgery for his congenital scoliosis. Claudio, who was among the busiest Palace officials during the last election campaign, has been complaining of severe lower back pains in recent weeks. He already had surgery for scoliosis in the 1970s.

Claudio started to serve Arroyo government in 2001 as head of the PLLO.

In 2004, he was named presidential legislative adviser and campaign manager for President Arroyo and the K4 coalition in the bitterly contested May elections.

After the administration’s victory in 2004, Claudio was appointed presidential political adviser.