MANILA (March 1, 2010) – President Gloria Arroyo already has a shortlist of possible replacements to her outgoing Cabinet officials, even as her administration will file a motion for reconsideration this week seeking to reverse a Supreme Court ruling deeming appointed officials as automatically resigned when they file their certificates of candidacy for the May 10 elections.

According to Palace sources, the list includes Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo and Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza as possible replacements for Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, who is running for congressman of the first district of Batangas.

Romulo has served as executive secretary under the Arroyo administration.

Mendoza, who has served as transportation chief since 2002, was director-general of the Philippine National Police and has a graduate degree in public administration from the University of the Philippines.

Director-General Hermogenes Esperon Jr. of the Presidential Management Staff said at least two names—Administrator Elena Bautista of the Maritime Industry Authority and General Manager Rosario Uriarte of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office—had cropped up for his possible replacement as he sought the congressional representation for Pangasinan’s 6th district.

Bautista had previously served under the Office of the President-Special Operations Group and the PMS, coordinating Mrs. Arroyo’s regional engagements before she was appointed transportation undersecretary.

At least two names have also been floated as the possible replacements of Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera, who is running for congressman of the 1st district of Quezon. They are Solicitor-General Alberto Agra and the country’s ambassador to the World Trade Organization, former Justice Undersecretary Manuel Teehankee.

Other Cabinet officials who are seeking elective positions in the May 10 elections are Chairman Augusto Syjuco Jr. of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (2nd district, Iloilo), Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap (3rd district, Bohol); Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. (1st district, Camarines Sur), and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Raul Gonzalez, who is running for mayor of Iloilo City.

Gonzalez said he would not submit a courtesy resignation and would just wait for the Supreme Court ruling to become final.

Yap was out of the country last week, prompting Mrs. Arroyo to appoint Undersecretary Bernardo Fondevilla as acting agriculture chief.

Ermita said the President had yet to act on the courtesy resignations submitted by the Cabinet members even as Agra’s team prepared to file a motion for reconsideration to the Supreme Court this week.

“We are winding down our affairs now, and I am sure there will be no vacuum because the President also has people in mind for our replacements,” Ermita said.