MACTAN, Cebu — Technical Education and Skills Authority (TESDA) director general Rogelio Peyuan will be moving to a new government position after only serving a few days at the agency.

President Arroyo has announced she has transferred Peyuan to the Office of Press Secretary (OPS) as one of the undersecretaries as part of a "lateral movement" in the bureaucracy.

TESDA deputy director general Pastor Guiao, instead, is being considered to lead the agency assigned to harness skills education in the country, according to Press Secretary Crispulo Icban Jr. A formal announcement of Guiao's appointment is expected on Friday.

Peyuan was earlier appointed to replace TESDA director general Augusto Syjuco Jr. after he resigned to run for congressman in Iloilo province. Peyuan previously served as TESDA deputy director general.

"It's already been settled. Roger was appointed to the OPS because to begin with TESDA, Boboy Syjuco does not have cabinet rank," the President told reporters last Thursday night at a resort here after attending a forum with councilors.

"Boboy Syjuco was conferred cabinet rank, the position itself is not cabinet, so its a lateral transfer," she added.

The President tried to defend the "lateral transfer" of Peyuan in government apparently to avoid violating an election ban on government appointments that started last March 10. Mrs. Arroyo made several appointments, including replacements of cabinet members running for public office and a new Armed Forces chief of staff, before the ban took effect last Wednesday.

The latest change in TESDA leadership came after Peyuan reportedly had political differences with his predecessor. The two officials reportedly traded allegations on the misuse of funds at TESDA.

Rumors about Peyuan's removal from TESDA forced the agency personnel to stage a protest in support of Peyuan last Thursday. Peyuan has denied allegations of diversion of TESDA funds thrown by his predecessor.

Icban, in a separate interview here, said Peyuan will be assigned as Press Undersecretary for Broadcast since he is more fit in handling media relations.

Icban however declined to comment if the bickering between Peyuan and Syjuco compelled the President to make last-minute change in the leadership of TESDA.

He insisted that Peyuan's transfer was merely "lateral movement."