MANILA, Philippines — Though President Rodrigo Duterte already has a new spokesperson, Ernesto Abella will remain part of Malacañang as undersecretary under the Presidential Communications and Operations Office (PCOO) headed by Secretary Martin Andanar.
Acting presidential spokesman Harry Roque told this to reporters on Monday, but he could not say yet what would be Abella’s specific tasks at the PCOO.
Roque also did not confirm reports that Abella was being offered an ambassadorial post.
“He (Abella) will be undersecretary. He continues to be undersecretary of PCOO. There hasn’t been any movement at all, as far as the position of Secretary Abella is concerned,” said Roque.
Earlier, Andanar also said Abella “will stay with the admnistration” but he could also not yet say what would be Abella’s new assignment.
“Si Ernie will stay with the administration. Kung saan siya ilagay ni Presidente Duterte, nasa prerogative na iyon ni Presidente. But I’m sure that hindi naman masi-zero si Ernie,” Andanar said last week.