|
Thursday, July 11, 2002
GMA assures her cabinet is intact
PRESIDENT Gloria Arroyo Wednesday denied reports that some of her Cabinet members are planning to resign following the administration's recruitment of some personalities closely associated with former President Estrada.
President Arroyo also branded Council for Philippine Affairs (Copa) head Pastor "Boy" Saycon a "termite" for alleging that some members of the Cabinet were disappointed over the move of the administration to accept supporters of Mr. Estrada in its fold.
Saycon's accusation came following a meeting last Monday between several Cabinet members and members of various civil society groups.
Arroyo said she asked her Cabinet members to arrange the meeting with the civil society groups to discuss their sentiments on the entry of Mr. Estrada's allies, particularly, Ronaldo Puno in the administration.
The President said the issue on Puno was addressed during the meeting.
The meeting, according to the President, was part of the new politics of institutionalized consultation with the people, which Saycon was not invited.
The President said Saycon and the Copa was not invited since "the ones that they invited was supposed to be the ones who care."
Arroyo said the Cabinet members who attended the meeting was disappointed with the way the media has played up the issues, particularly when Saycon was interviewed despite the fact that he was not present in the meeting.
She insisted that she and Copa had already parted ways.
"You know they're all vehemently denying that (they are planning to resign). Those Cabinet members are quite disappointed in the media to say the least. Very disappointed," the President said.
Arroyo challenged Saycon to choose whether he would stay or leave the administration as "a strong republic cannot afford termites from within."
Saycon is serving the government as director of the Philippine Deposits Insurance Company (PDIC).
Arroyo also stressed that although she listens to the civil society, making a decision on certain issues would still have to come from her.
She cited for example her decision to transfer the function of flood control in Metro Manila to Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) despite some threats from various groups and individuals to hurl him in court.
"I listen but in the end I have to make a decision, because if I listen and then act according to what I hear, they will be different, they'll be, it's a battle of different of tongues. So in the end, it has to be my contact," the President said.
Meanwhile, the President refused to say the real score on reports that opposition Senator Blas Ople is likely to replace Vice President Guingona in the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
"Well in the case of Sen. Ople, maybe since sooner or later something will happen, let's wait for it to happen before, if it will happen before we tell the stories," the President said.
The President also refused to talk further on the issue between her and Guingona saying that she does not want to "add any more salt" on his wounds.
She admitted that they had a parting of ways because of honest policy differences.
"So I don't want to talk about that. The most important thing is for our relationship to be as amiable as possible. You know we had a parting of ways because of honest policy differences. I don't think we need to exacerbate that," she added. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
|
