Arroyo reshuffles her Cabinet

MANILA, Philippines, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Philippine President Gloria Arroyo announced Wednesday the first wave of her Cabinet revamp since her reelection in May.

Leading the president's appointees was Vice President Noli de Castro, who was named chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, replacing Michael Defensor.

Defensor, who had served as Arroyo's campaign spokesman in the May 10 elections, was in turn appointed secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Arroyo also appointed Defense Secretary Eduardo Ermita as her new "little president," replacing Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo who was "promoted" to secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs, The Star reported.