Malacañang confirmed Sunday night the revamp at the National Museum management but insisted there is nothing irregular about the latest government appointments made by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo towards the end of her term.

Deputy Presidential Spokeswoman Charito Planas said the President appointed retired journalist Larry Henares as chairman of the National Museum, replacing businessman Antonio Cojuangco.

Malacañang Museum director Jeremy Barns was also elected by the board to take the place of museum director Cora Alvina, according to Planas.

Rumors circulated earlier that the President, with less than three months remaining in her term, made a sweeping revamp of the entire National Museum board, which has allegedly surprised the institution.

In an phone interview, Planas assured that the President would not bypass the rules on the appointment of government officials, including those sitting at the National Museum board. She noted that the President designates an individual to a position based on competence and track record, brushing aside speculations that politics had something to do with the said appointments.

The flurry of appointments of senior government officials are legal since they were made prior to the election ban on appointments that started last March 10, Planas emphasized, adding that most of the appointments are reassignments and promotions to fill vacant positions left by officials retiring or running in the May polls.

Earlier, Planas could not immediately confirm the changes at the National Museum and sought to verify the matter with the Office of the Executive Secretary.

Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza and other Palace officials cannot be reached for comment Sunday regarding the National Museum revamp. (GDK)