Binay’s Cabinet post in the Aquino administration still tentative
Presumptive President-elect Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III is set to meet with vice presidential forerunner, Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay, to discuss the latter’s participation in the Aquino administration.
In an interview with reporters, Aquino disclosed he will have a dialogue first with Binay, who may, also, be proclaimed Wednesday by the Joint National Board of Canvassers, as to which role would better fit him.
"Depende sa usapan namin baka may gusto siya na 'di ko kayang ibigay (It will depend on our dialogue. He may want something that I cannot give)," Aquino said.
Binay had offered to become the secretary for Interior and Local Government owing to his expertise in local governance having been the mayor of the Makati in nearly two decades.
Aquino will, likewise, be meeting with Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Delfin Bangit, whose appointment he alleged was done under questionable circumstances.
While, he appears to be receptive of Binay joining his official family, Aquino was more circumspect in keeping Bangit.
On the other key positions, Aquino said he is still weighing his options who to place in key posts that include the Department of Transportation and Communications, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Justice, and Department of Finance.
To date, Aquino has only named only four members of his Cabinet. These are Corazon "Dinky" Soliman as Secretary for Social Welfare and Development, Teresita Deles as Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, lawyer and classmate Paquito "Jojo" Ochoa Jr. as his executive secretary and lawyer Edwin Lacierda as presidential spokesperson.
Aquino, who has yet to complete the members of his official family, said, however, that his Cabinet would be completed after his inauguration on June 30.
According to Aquino, the line-up will be a combination of old and young personalities who are both "technocrats and visionaries."
“Pwede sana combination (I would prefer a combination of both technocrats and visionaries)," Aquino said, adding that he, also, wants relatively young members to spice up the composition.
"Hinahabol mo ang idealism (What you are after is idealism)," Aquino said as he intimated that he offered one of his classmates a Cabinet post. Prodded to reveal the name, Aquino took a tight lip for the meantime.




