INTERIOR and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno played down reports that he will be replaced once the ban on appointing losing candidate lapses this May.
“We serve at the pleasure of the President,” Sueno said in a statement. “It is within his power, wisdom and discretion to appoint members of his Cabinet. With the information being floated about the change at the helm of the DILG, I take no offense whatsoever.”
“It is business as usual for me as I dispense my duties and functions with the blessings of President Duterte,” Sueno said.
The former South Cotabato governor said he did not feel offended by the rumors that former senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., who lost in the last elections to Vice President Leni Robredo, would soon replace him in May.
The Interior portfolio holds control over the police and all local government units in the country.
Early in his term, the President said that he doesn’t want to appoint Robredo as his housing czar because he did not want to “hurt the feelings” of Marcos.
Marcos filed a pending petition before the Presidential Electoral Tribunal questioning the results of Robredo’s hairline victory over him in the last election.
Malacañang itself has denied knowledge of any plan to replace Sueno with Marcos Jr.
“Frankly, I don’t have any knowledge of that,” said Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella. “As far as I’m concerned, I have not received anything [about the supposed appointment of Marcos as DILG head].”