President-elect Benigno Simeon Aquino III hopes to form his official family as early as possible so he could take another break before he takes the helm of the country's leadership on June 30.

“I also intend to take a legitimate break even just for three days to internalize everything. This may be the last time for me to rest. As you can see classes have opened and in a few weeks, the problem of flooding will again come to the fore and I will have to attend to all these concerns,” said Aquino who took a five-day break prior to his proclamation as President-elect by Congress last week.

Aquino also vowed to touch base with his parents before his inauguration on June 30, saying the example of his parents – the late President Corazon C. Aquino and slain Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. – will be his inspiration for the next six years in Malacañang.

Although Aquino and his siblings have already visited the resting place of their parents over the weekend, they planned to visit again and hear Mass at the Aquino mausoleum at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque

City before heading to Quirino Grandstand in Manila where he is set to take his oath as the 15th President of the Republic.

Aquino lamented that filling Cabinet positions as well as preparations for his inauguration and first Cabinet meeting have been “problematic.”

“I want to finish forming the Cabinet, I want to make sure we are on the right track in deciding who will be replaced. I understand the inventory is 4,500 and this is not a joke,” Aquino said.

So far Aquino has only named 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; Paquito Ochoa Jr. as Executive Secretary; and lawyer Edwin Lacierda as presidential spokesperson.

Aquino had been meeting with reported candidates for his official family at his Times Street home in West Triangle, Quezon City.

Last Tuesday, Aquino was visited by former Naga City Mayor Jessie Robredo who is a top prospect for the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) post. Aquino said Robredo is also being considered for another post.

“There are two positions we are thinking for Mayor Robredo. He is very qualified to handle so many portfolios. Can we announce it at the appropriate time?” Aquino said.

“Jess is a multi-awarded local executive. He has advocacies like checking the informal settler problem. In Naga they don’t talk of theories but of actual accomplishments. They were able to provide opportunities outside Naga. That is obviously one of the skills he brings to the table,” Aquino said.

Robredo, a recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Good Governance in 2000, said Aquino “can assign me to where he believes I can perform best.”

Aquino clarified that Vice President-elect Jejomar Binay is not yet out of the picture with regard to the DILG post, saying the Makati City Mayor is one of the seven candidates being considered for the position.

“I have to talk to him (Binay) first and of course he has to know what my agenda is as far as local government is concerned. It may not be consistent with his political plans. So again I owe them courtesy. Everything in our admin there will be a carrot and stick side. He is a politician who will obviously be aiming for another office down the line. When he starts implementing the stick will that hamper his political plans? He has to be given an opportunity to join willingly," Aquino said of Binay who earlier voiced out his preference to handle the DILG post. Binay however later said that he is already willing to accept any Cabinet post under the incoming administration.