BY REGINA BENGCO

PRESIDENT Arroyo on Tuesday night said Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Bayani Fernando are safe "for now" from the Cabinet revamp this month.

"Gilbert (Teodoro) is not part of the secret," Arroyo told reporters in an informal interaction in Camiguin at the residence of Camiguin Gov. Jesus Jurdin Romualdo.

When pressed further about the revamp, Arroyo said, "No more, secret na lang."

Teodoro, Reyes, and Fernando were present when she spoke.

The three sang "Matud Nila" and "Usahay." Fernando also joined the cultural dance to Camiguin's theme song.

Reyes said he will follow the directives of the President on where he should be assigned.

Asked if he prefers to stay in the energy department, he said, "This job is as good as any other job."

Fernando said it was "nice to hear" and "comforting" that he would not be ousted for now because he "wants to see the completion of my mission."

He said he is set to come out with a new poster, this time wearing a smile.

He said his first poster about "Kaayusan" is the "best advertisement" so far because it generated so much attention and awareness.

Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno said he does not know anything about rumors that his department is most likely to be affected by the revamp.

There have been talks that Puno will replace Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita.

Ermita reportedly would be named ambassador to the United States vice Willy Gaa.

Mike Defensor, a former presidential chief of staff who lost in the 2007 senatorial lections, was reported to be Puno's replacement.

Puno said he has so much respect for Ermita that linking him to any rumor as the latter's replacement is improper. He said Defensor might not be interested in taking over the DILG portfolio.

As of the moment, Puno said, his years of experience dictate that he is still the best man to handle the DILG.

"If you put me in the energy (department) I will be a total idiot there or anywhere else," Puno said.

Sen. Rodolfo Biazon said President Arroyo should "think twice" before appointing AFP chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon to the Cabinet "because sleeping issues could be resurrected when he faces the Commission on Appointments."

Biazon, a former AFP chief, cited the "Hello Garci" issue where Esperon was tagged as one of the "Garci generals," the unreleased Mayuga report which contains the result of the investigation on the involvement of generals in 2004 election cheating, and the extra-judicial killings.

Esperon retires on May 9. His term ended February 9 but the President extended it by three months.

There have been rumors he would be the next defense chief.

Biazon said Esperon also has to answer questions on the involvement of Intelligence Service of Armed Forces in wiretapping and the procurement of 12 helicopters which were allegedly overpriced.

Biazon recalled Teodoro ordered the investigation on the alleged anomalous purchase of helicopters. "What will happen to the investigation of that procurement?" he asked.

'FILTHY EXERCISE'

United Opposition president and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay said "a revamp under the Arroyo administration has become a filthy exercise in political accommodation and patronage."

"Judging by the names being mentioned as possible Cabinet replacements, it is apparent that the goal of the revamp is not better governance but rewarding blind loyalty," said Binay.

Binay said that because of "unprincipled politics of accommodation and patronage" espoused by the Arroyo administration during the past eight years, a revamp in the Cabinet would have no impact on the economic conditions of majority of the people who live in poverty.

"We do not need a change in personnel, what we need is for the Arroyo Cabinet to change and reform its anti-poor policies and values," he said.

CAUSE OF CONCERN

UNO spokesman Adel Tamano said the Cabinet revamp is a cause of concern for citizens hoping for good governance.

"What we hear is that the losing candidates in the 2007 elections will be rewarded with high level government positions," he said.

Defensor is reportedly being eyed to replace Puno at the DILG while Tessie Aquino Oreta is supposedly being groomed to replace Jesli Lapus at the Education department.

The one-year prohibition on the appointment of defeated candidates in the 2007 midterm election to government posts expires May 14.

LAPDOGS

San Juan Mayor JV Ejercito said he received reports that those who would be named to the Cabinet would be "political operators" who will push for Charter Change in order to extend the term of President Arroyo after 2010.