Apart from the forthcoming changes in his official family, the President also said he is finalizing his selection of the country's next Armed Forces chief of staff and two commissioners of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

“Where is the Executive Secretary? I think he will be in the better position to tell you the exact date. But if I’m not mistaken, maybe next week we will tell you who,” the President said in Filipino when asked about the imminent Cabinet revamp.

The President had earlier said he would replace a cabinet secretary with an individual he could work well with. A sub-Cabinet official will also be replaced by the President.

So far, two Cabinet members remain in an acting capacity, namely Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo and Environment Secretary Ramon Paje.

Aquino has already said Robredo will be given an additional assignment of coordinating government plans to resolve the problem of illegal settlers in the country.

When the one-year ban on the appointment of losing candidates expires this June, the President is reportedly eyeing former Senator Mar Roxas as his chief troubleshooter and former Bukidnon Rep. Neric Acosta as his next environment secretary.

On the replacement of AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Ricardo David who retires on March 8, the President said the candidates are now down to three or four.

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. had earlier said the President prefers to appoint a younger military chief who could implement the necessary reforms without worrying about a short term. “The length of stay will be a consideration. The President doesn’t want a revolving door in the AFP,” he said.

Genalyn Kabiling, Manila Bulletin