Aquino to announce full Cabinet this week

June 18, 2010   PARANAQUE CITY — President-elect Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III will announce this week his full Cabinet, a week before he takes his oath on June 30 as the 15th president of the Philippines.

So far, Aquino announced that he will appoint Corazon J. Soliman as social welfare and development secretary, Teresita Deles as presidential adviser on peace process, lawyer Paquito Ochoa as executive secretary and lawyer Edwin Lacierda as presidential spokesperson.

Interviewed as he and his sisters visited the tombs of their parents — former President Corazon C. Aquino and former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. — at the Manila Memorial Park in Paranaque City, the president- elect also assured that Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II will get a Cabinet post after the one-year ban on appointing candidates in the May 10 elections.

Aquino also said that Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director-General Jesus Verzosa will stay until his retirement in December this year.

His youngest sister, Kris Aquino-Yap, led in praying the Holy Rosary, together with other sisters Ballsy, Pinky and Viel.

The incoming President and his sisters were surprised when they saw flowers from the office of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at the Aquino mausoleum. They learned that the flowers were delivered on Saturday on the occasion of the celebration of the 112th Philippine Independence Day.