Policarpio: Estrada told me to stay put

President Estrada ordered yesterday Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO) chief Secretary Jose Jaime Policarpio to remain in his job despite a vehement protest from newly installed Senate President Franklin Drilon.

"Don't worry, just work and stay put," Policarpio quoted the President as telling him.

Drilon said he could not work with Policarpio. He has been apparently suspecting that Policarpio arranged the election last year of Sen. Blas Ople as the successor of the late Senate President Marcelo Fernan.

Because of the intense Ople-Drilon fight for the Senate presidency then, President Estrada got them to agree to a term-sharing. Ople gave way to Drilon on Wednesday.

Rep. Neptali Gonzales II (LAMP, Mandaluyong) said that even if Policarpio indeed helped Ople, "he would not have done it without the President's approval."

Policarpio admitted that he was concerned about Drilon's criticisms, but said the final word on his accomplishments would have to come from Mr. Estrada.

"I serve the President the best I can with much professionalism. Being the messenger of the President, the decision to retain or fire me is with the President," he said.

Policarpio also said that he will follow Mr. Estrada's order just like a good soldier.

"If the President thinks I should be replaced, the decision is his. I was among the first Cabinet member to submit my courtesy resignation to the President," he said.

At the House of Representatives, congressmen have expressed support for Policarpio and have asked the President to keep him in his job.

Gonzales told reporters yesterday that he and more than 120 of his colleagues have signed a statement expressing their support for and confidence in Policarpio.

He said the signatories comprise a majority of the 200-member House of Representatives.

"Jimmie (who heads the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office) has been doing a good job in serving as the principal bridge between Malacañang and the House. He has close rapport with most of us," he said.

Gonzales added that Policarpio has been very effective in coordinating the passage of administration-sponsored legislative proposals. - With Efren Danao