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Thursday, January 15, 2004
Presidential adviser quits
PRESIDENTIAL adviser on special concerns Norberto Gonzales parted ways with the Arroyo administration Tuesday reportedly with ill-feelings against President Arroyo.
But Gonzales declined to give any reason for his resignation adding that he would reveal his reasons for leaving in two to three days.
He said he would be consulting members of his political party, Partido Demokratikong Sosyalista ng Pilipinas (PDSP), before making any announcement. Asked why he needs to consult the party first, Gonzales said “it is a political issue.”
Gonzales said he submitted his resignation letter to Arroyo Tuesday, which was effective immediately.
He said he talked with Arroyo after he sent his resignation letter, who accepted and approved it.
Reports said Gonzales bore ill-feelings against President Arroyo after he and the PDSP was supposedly left out of the administration’s campaign plans.
But he said he neither quarreled with Arroyo nor did he expect her to prevail upon him to stay on in the Cabinet.
Gonzales had served in several backdoor negotiations under the administration from organizations like the Communist Party of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to groups like the Abu Sayyaf and the Pentagon Gang.
He had also been tasked by Arroyo to monitor and study the different debates and issues involving the proposed amendment of the 1987 Constitution.
Resigned Lakas Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) spokesman Heherson Alvarez said he has received the endorsement of the PDSP, where Gonzales serves as secretary-general but he is unsure if the move is connected with Gonzales’ resignation.
Alvarez resigned as spokesman of the administration party and is running for senator independently after the administration Koalisyon ng Katapatan at Karasanan sa Kinabukasan (K-4) came up with a senatorial slate that includes candidates identified with the Estrada camp.
Malacañang was mum on Gonzales’ resignation stressing that it’s better to wait for the resigned adviser’s official announcement.
Michael Defensor, presidential political spokesman, said he expects more Cabinet officials and advisers to resign once the campaign period starts February 10.
He said some appointees may become directly involved in the President’s campaign and would be forced to give up their post to concentrate on their new task while others would have a minimal role, which would enable them to still concentrate on their current jobs. SCT
(January 15, 2004 issue)
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