Malacañang on Friday said it is still reviewing records amid reports that Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Raphael Lotilla may be on his way out, while assuring the public that no Cabinet-wide reshuffle is underway.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro told reporters that the Palace is verifying records following statements raised during a Senate session and will provide updates once details are clarified.
“Hinahanap pa po ngayon at ina-update po ang mga records dito (They are still searching for it now and updating the records here),” Castro said.
“Mabibigyan ko po kayo ng update kapag po nakapagbigay na po sa akin ng ano mang detalye patungkol dito (I will provide you with an update once someone has given me any details regarding this),” she added.
Castro said the Palace is reviewing records connected to his appointment, noting that this includes reports of a third bypass of his confirmation. She emphasized that any updates would be announced once the review is completed.
“No Cabinet rigodon at this time,” she said. “Titingnan po muna kung ano po ‘yung records sa ngayon. Kapag po napakita na po sa atin at naibigay po sa atin ang update, ibibigay ko po sa inyo agad,” Castro told reporters.
(First, we will check what the current records show. Once it is presented to us and we have the update, I will release it to you immediately.)
On reports that several Cabinet members remain in acting capacities, Castro said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has no plans for a “rigodon” or reshuffle at this time.
She added that the official appointments of acting secretaries will be submitted to the Commission on Appointments (CA) as soon as possible.
“The names of the secretaries will be given and submitted to the Commission on Appointments,” Castro said.
Castro also addressed questions about the authenticity of government reports submitted to the President. She said consequences depend on whether any inaccuracies were intentional or due to negligence.
“Well, depende po ‘yan, ito ba ay in good faith? Ito ba ay negligence? Ito ba ay sinadya? (Well, that depends; is this in good faith? Is this negligence? Was it intentional?),” she said.
So definitely, kapag sinadya ito, may kaakibat na parusa ito – maaari silang matanggal sa kanilang puwesto. Kung negligent naman, ganoon din po (if it was intentional, there are corresponding penalties—they could be removed from their positions. If it was negligence, the same applies),” Castro noted, emphasizing that public officials must perform their duties diligently.
