Aquino announces incoming Cabinet officials

Manila (29 June) — President-elect Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III this afternoon announced in a press conference the composition of his Cabinet and some key positions, which include two incumbents who retain their posts in the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine National Police.

The rest of the officials are a mixture of former Cabinet members in the administrations of Cory Aquino, Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada, as well as new personalities from the academe and the private sector. Aquino also announced that he will serve in concurrent capacity as Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The announced oficials include:

1. Executive Secretary: Paquito Ochoa
2. Secretary of Foreign Affairs: Alberto Romulo
3. Secretary of Finance: Cesar Purisima
4. Secretary of Justice: Leila L. de Lima
5. Secretary of National Defense: Voltaire Gasmin
6. Secretary of Education: Bro. Armin A. Luistro
7. Secretary of Budget and Management: Florencio “Butch” Abad
8. Secretary of National Economic and Development Authority: Cayetano L. Paderanga Jr.
9. Secretary of Agriculture: Proceso V. Alcala
10. Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources: Ramon Paje
11. Secretary of Transportation and Communications: Jose ‘Ping’ de Jesus
12. Secretary of Labor and Employment: Rosalinda Baldoz
13. Secretary of Health: Dr. Enrique T. Ona
14. Secretary of Tourism: Alberto A. Lim
15. Secretary of Trade and Industry: Gregory L. Domingo
16. Secretary of Social Welfare and Development: Corazon ‘Dinky’ Soliman
17. Secretary of Science and Technology: Dr. Mario G. Montejo
18. Secretary of Energy: Jose Rene V. Almendras
19. Secretary of Public Works and Highways: Rogelio Singson
20. Secretary of Agrarian Reform: Virgilio delos Reyes
21. Secretary of the Commission on Higher Education: Patricia Licuanan
22. Secretary of the Presidential Management Staff: Julia Abad
23. Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines: MGen. Ric David
24. Director General of the Philippine National Police: Jesus Verzosa
25. Presidential Spokesperson: Edwin Lacierda
26. Presidential Legal Counsel: Eduardo de Mesa
27. Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process: Teresita ‘Ging’ Deles
28. Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue: Kim Henares

Aquino said the structure of the Government Communications Group is still being finalized.

Sub-cabinet positions will likewise be announced later. (vmg/PIA)