Happy days are here again? FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 06/29/2010

Happy days are here again?

FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 06/29/2010 Hey, hey, the old Arroyo gang is alive and well, under the new Aquino administration — if we are to go by the various choices for positions in the new executive branch of government, and the many known personalities who have been dropping in at incoming President Noynoy Aquino’s Times Street home. The latest announcement — made not by Noynoy but by incumbent Foreign Affairs secretary — is that DFA’s Bert Romulo will be retained in the same post by the new Malacañang tenant. Romulo was quick to add that no definite time was given to him. Of all people, Romulo should, or ought to know what protocol is all about, which means that he should have had Noynoy announce his appointment, rather than for him to pre-empt the new Malacañang tenant. It is no secret that there were objections to Romulo’s retention at the DFA, but despite these, Noynoy and his sisters tapped Romulo for the same job he had been holding for six years, under Gloria Arroyo’s regime. Apparently, for the Aquinos, yellow ties matter more than objections. It also looks like Gloria’s Health secretary, Esperanza Cabral, will be retained, and there appears to be no objection on her becoming part of the Aquino government. Cabral, at least, knew her place, refusing to inform media of Noynoy’s plan for her, saying Noynoy should make the announcement. There were others seen getting into Times Street, such as old reliable Gloria ally, former Chief Justice and unconfirmed and resigned Philippine permanent ambassador to the United Nations, Hilario Davide Jr. It looks like the very political Davide is again going to have a cushy post under the Noynoy government. Alberto del Rosario was also seen, and will probably again be tapped by Noynoy for an ambassadorial post — or perhaps take up the same post again.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100629com2.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Failing too much, too soon FRONTLINE Happy days are here again? FEATURE The poor and the dead: Strange bedfellows in Philippines MR. EXPOSE Brother Armin opposed NO HOLDS BARRED Mayor Binay AN OUTSIDERS VIEW Relative, not absolute decline ANALYSIS Hong Kong in new political era as Beijing co-opts Democrats