Malacañang denied on Thursday that former Senator and Interior Secretary Manuel 'Mar' Roxas was appointed as the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA).
In a statement, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil said the Roxas' appointment in the DA was "not true".
She said this was a mere "rumor that has been lingering around for some time since the assumption of Mr. Marcos to the Presidency."
The appointment rumors resurfaced after Jay Sonza, former newscaster, and talk show host congratulated Roxas and his wife Korina Sanchez-Roxas in a Facebook post.
He addressed Roxas as "Sec" in the said post. No specific department was mentioned but many speculated he was appointed in DA.
Roxas, the cousin of first lady Liza Marcos on the Araneta side, is an agriculture advocate.
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr., who currently sits as the DA Chief, earlier said he wanted an agriculture expert to lead the DA.
He also pronounced that he would only leave the post once they have accomplished their bucket list.
Agriculture group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) earlier recommended the President's sister Senator Imee Marcos to lead the agriculture department.
