Angara, Aguda still in Cabinet, Palace says amid fallout from graft scandal

THE Presidential Palace on Wednesday said Education Secretary Juan Edgardo M. Angara and Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Rhoel R. Aguda remain part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr’s Cabinet, denying rumors that the two officials were set for removal over alleged links to the widening graft scandal in public works projects.

- Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro said both men attended Monday’s Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting and separately briefed the President on their programs, countering claims that they were on the way out.

“They are not leaving because they were with us at the LEDAC meeting, and they also presented their projects during a private meeting with the President,’ she told a news briefing in Filipino. “We deny the reports.”

Asked how Mr. Marcos views the performance of his Cabinet amid a string of resignations tied to the procurement controversy, Ms. Castro said he remains “content” with the officials who remain on board.

“We have witnessed successive calamities and storms, yet they remain in their posts and continue to assist our fellow citizens,” she said. “As long as they stay in their positions, his trust in them remains.”