‘Change leading man, not supporting cast’

"Change the leading man, not the supporting cast."

An opposition congressman yesterday said a reported Cabinet revamp would not ease the political crisis besetting President Estrada nor prop up his sagging popularity.

"A Cabinet revamp will at best be cosmetic in nature and is not the formula for boosting government efficiency or the President’s popularity," Batangas Rep. Ralph Recto said.

Finance Secretary Jose Pardo said the other day that Mr. Estrada will reshuffle the Cabinet in response to demands from business groups for government efficiency.

A revamp is also needed because some Cabinet officials reportedly plan to run in the May 2001 elections.

Among those who are said to be leaving the Cabinet are Executive Secretary Ronaldo Zamora and Press Secretary Ricardo Puno.

Zamora reportedly plans to run for his old San Juan congressional seat, while Puno is eyeing the Senate.

Sources said Zamora would be replaced by Agriculture Secretary Edgardo Angara. Angara’s position is in turn allegedly being eyed by Agrarian Reform Secretary Horacio Morales.

But Zamora told the STAR that he has not yet decided whether to run. He also refused to confirm or deny that Angara might replace him.

Recto insisted the changes will not solve Mr. Estrada’s credibility problems. – Liberty Dones, Marichu Villanueva