Sunday 3rd July, 2011
FORMER senator Manuel "Mar" Roxas II will officially start his work as secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Monday.
Roxas, who was President Benigno Aquino III's running mate in the May 10, 2011 elections, is set to take oath before the President in Malacañang at 9:30 a.m. He is expected to give a press briefing after the oath-taking.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte clarified that Roxas's first day in DOTC was not last July 1.
"May mga kaibigan po tayo na naghintay nung July 1 pero hindi talaga po July 1 dahil naka-schedule pa lang po yung oath-taking niya bukas. Hindi pa po makakapag-simula dahil hindi pa siya nag-oath-taking," Valte said.
She added that Roxas was still out of the country last Friday.
Roxas accepted the DOTC post after the resignation of Jose "Ping" de Jesus exactly one year after serving the agency.
De Jesus's sudden resignation stirred controversies, including his differences in opinion with the President on the liability of Land Transportation Office head Virginia Torres on the failed takeover of Stradcom.
De Jesus said his resignation has nothing to do with Torres issue and he just wanted to go back to private life.
Roxas earlier deferred comment on Torres's fate, saying he has yet to study the issue.
The former senator also vowed to continue reforms started by de Jesus.
Three deputies of de Jesus also resigned, giving Roxas a free hand to choose his own set of officials.
Valte said Roxas has yet to appoint any undersecretary or assistant secretary.