Mr. Estrada told journalists yesterday Banayo was just "resting" and, contrary to reports, would not be replaced as political adviser by Ambassador to Washington Ernesto Maceda.
"Mr. Banayo, as political adviser, is still helping us," the President said. "He really did not completely quit. He is just taking a vacation. He has not completely left us."
However, Press Secretary Ricardo Puno told reporters yesterday the President had already named former STAR reporter Nixon Kua as acting general manager of the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA), the other government post Banayo held.
Meanwhile, Mr. Estrada confirmed The STAR’s earlier report that he was considering Margarito Teves, Land Bank of the Philippines president, as trade and industry secretary in place of Manuel Roxas II who had resigned.
Mr. Estrada also mentioned as possible candidate Francisco Eizmendi, a top executive of San Miguel Corp. and said to be closely identified with Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco, the company’s chairman and friend of the Chief Executive.
The President rejected as false the opposition’s claim that a number of business leaders have turned down his offer for one of them to be trade and industry secretary.
"That’s not true," he said. "That (DTI post) is a very sensitive position and that is why we have to be careful in choosing," he said.
Banayo was reported to have sent a letter of resignation to the President last Nov. 4 or three days after Roxas had left the Cabinet.
In his letter, Banayo was said to have cited "the prevailing political environment" as his reason for leaving his job as presidential adviser on political affairs and general manager of the PTA.
Mr. Estrada said Banayo assured him at Malacañang two nights ago that he would still help the administration, and that Banayo’s purported "irrevocable resignation" was part of the opposition’s "lies and disinformation" campaign.
On the other hand, Puno said the President and Banayo may have agreed on a "new arrangement" during a meeting at Malacañang the other night.
"There will be some sort of a continuing arrangement that President Estrada will have the benefit of his (Banayo) counsel or advice," he said.
Puno said the post of presidential adviser on political affairs has not been filled up. – Marichu Villanueva