MANILA — Malacañang on Monday confirmed the appointment of Davao City Representative Karlo Nograles as new Cabinet Secretary.
“The former congressman Karlo Nograles will be taking his oath of office this afternoon as Cabinet Secretary,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo announced in a regular press briefing.
Panelo said President Rodrigo Duterte chose Nograles to replace Leoncio ‘Jun’ Evasco as early as two weeks ago.
“He (Nograles) enjoys the trust and confidence of the appointing power, the President,” Panelo said.
Evasco had resigned to run for governor of Bohol province in the 2019 mid-term polls.
Panelo, meanwhile, said he has not received confirmation if Duterte has appointed Senator Gregorio ‘Gringo’ Honasan II as secretary of the Department of Information and Communication and Technology (DICT).
He said Duterte might announce in Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting if he has indeed appointed Honasan, as claimed by some senators.
Panelo said the President might also name his new Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs during the next Cabinet meeting.
“More likely tomorrow, since there is a Cabinet meeting, the President will be announcing certain appointees to the Cabinet,” he said.
Former Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Francis Tolentino has filed his certificate of candidacy for senator in next year’s elections.
On reverting the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) to the Office of the Press Secretary, Panelo said an executive order is still to be processed by the Office of Executive Secretary. (Jelly Musico/ PNA)
