Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri yesterday confirmed that he was being temporarily moved to the Commission on Higher Education (ChEd).

"Yes, that's true," Neri said when asked to confirm reports.

Asked why he was assigned to ChEd instead of the Bureau of Internal Revenue or the Department of Budget and Management, Neri replied that that he was also an educator and had been teaching since 1970.

On Friday, Neri had confirmed he was moving out of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) "temporarily" but would not say what his new assignment would be.

Malacañang itself remained tight-lipped yesterday on Neri's transfer.

"I have not received any official papers as my basis for making any announcement," Palace spokesman, Ignacio Bunye said.

Neri's pull out from NEDA and reassignment to ChEd comes after a shakeup in President Gloria Macaagal-Arroyo's official family with the resignation of Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla.

Lotilla was replaced by Environment Secretary Angelo Reyes. The Environment portfolio was given to former Manila mayor Jose "Lito" Atienza.