“It’s all speculation. There’s no truth to the transfer,” Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda replied by text message, when asked to comment on reports that Almendras would be moved to the DOTC.

In a statement, the DOE said it has “not received any information indicating a transfer to another agency or office.”

“The President, thus far, has given his trust and confidence in the secretary [Almendras] as Energy chief and we shall continue to live up to the standard of excellence and dedication that public service warrants,” the DOE said.

Responding to questions, Deputy Presidential Spokesman Abigail Valte said in an interview with state-run Radyo ng Bayan that the successor of de Jesus would only be known once the President makes the announcement.

“Let us just wait for the announcement of the President. He’s keeping it very close to his chest,” Valte said.

When asked, Valte said the President “is not having difficulty” finding replacements for de Jesus and resigned Bureau of Corrections chief Ernesto Diokno.

It has only been a week since Diokno tendered his resignation.

Asked whether Cabinet officials would submit their courtesy resignation to the President to give him a free hand to reorganize his Cabinet after his first year in office, Valte said, “As regards to the courtesy resignation, all members of the Cabinet are cognizant of the fact that they all serve at the pleasure of the President.... So anytime they are asked, that would not be a problem.”

It was earlier reported that the President had offered the DOTC post to former senator Manuel Roxas II, who is set to be appointed to a Cabinet-rank position in Malacañang, but the latter reportedly turned it down.