MANILA, Philippines – As rumors circulate that Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Rico Puno will be taken out of his current position, Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang clarified that Puno keeps his post — at least for now.

Carandang said that as long as former Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas has not yet been confirmed as the new DILG Secretary, Puno stays in his position and the DILG still follows staus quo.

“Executive Secretary Jojo Ochoa remains the OIC (officer-in-charge) until Mar Roxas can take over at DILG. And until such time that Secretary Mar assumes the post, then we can assume that Mr Puno remains in place,” Carandang said.

Roxas was appointed by President Benigno Aquino III as the replacement for the late DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo, who died in a plane crash August 18. The former is still awaiting confirmation by the Commission of Appointments, which may take as long as October. Until then, he will not be able to assume his post.

Carandang did verify however that once Roxas takes over the DILG, “he will be able to choose his people,” and said at that point, Puno may lose his position.

“I guess you could imply that,” Carandang said when asked if Puno would leave the department once Roxas becomes secretary.

Puno’s next post

Where Puno is headed is still unclear but reports said he may be moved to the Department of Agriculture or Clark Development Authority.

In a press briefing, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte echoed DILG OIC Pacquito Ochoa Jr. who told media a day earlier that he knew nothing of a supposed resignation letter filed by Puno.

“And I have gotten queries about a resignation letter. I also confirmed with Secretary Ochoa that there is no letter that they have,” said Valte. “So let’s just wait further announcements because Executive Secretary Ochoa also said yesterday, also echoed what (Transportation and Communications) Secretary (Manuel) Mar Roxas (II) did say last week—that the President has given him a free hand (as incoming DILG chief).”

Rumors about Puno’s fate started after Roxas told reporters on Friday, August 31, that Puno had another assignment waiting for him.

“[The President] gave me a free mandate to choose my team. I would expect that all of those co-terminus [positions] would be vacated by the time I come in,” he said. “According to the President, he has another assignment in mind for Usec Puno.”

Puno for his part has avoided media interviews but in a brief ambush interview Monday, said he would be willing to work with Roxas and would await the President’s orders. – Rappler.com