Face-lift in the Cabinet

I would rather call it a face-lift instead of a revamp.

The rumour going around town for nearly a month now is the impending cabinet revamp, specifically in the members of the economic team of Junior.

Apart from Congressman Ralph Recto, who reportedly accepted the finance portfolio stead of incumbent Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno, Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual is said to be given the pink slip as well.

Being eyed for Pasual’s position is Robinsons Land President Frederick Go, who was earlier rumoured to replace Diokno. At the moment, Go is the Presidential Adviser on Investment and Economic Affairs

Alledgingly joining Pascual is Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista, who will be replaced by former President and chief executive Officer of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority Vivencio "Vince" Bringas Dizon.

Recto had agreed to take the finance position with a caveat. Heard that he wants the deliberation of the P32.4 billion proposed DOF budget for 2024. Well, I believed he does not want to be on the other side of the equation. I can feel and understand where he’s coming from, it would be uncomfortable facing and to be questioned by his former colleague.

Heard from my view deck that Dizon has been deluge with phone calls and text messages inquiring if he really is again joining the executive branch and the replacement of Bautista, which to some is a never-ending rehash

And despite the initial bump with the suspension in the implementation of the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF), Diokno has been given a new leash of life with Junior saying that MIF will proceed as planned within the year.

Diokno was reportedly disappointed in the suspension of the MIF because it would be his new home after stepping down from the DOF as its chief investment officer.

Changes in the Cabinet of Junior may have to take a back seat for the moment because it’s the campaign period for the Barangay election scheduled on Monday, October 30. If all systems go, the facelift may happen mid-November.