GMA has 50 advisers — solon

President Arroyo has 50 advisers, consultants and assistants, at least 15 of whom hold the rank and receive the salary of a Cabinet member.

The list was revealed yesterday by neophyte Rep. Ted Failon, an independent. It was also brought up Tuesday night by opposition Rep. Rolex Suplico (LDP, Iloilo) during floor debates on the proposed P3.1-billion 2002 budget for the Office of the President.

Failon asked for the listing of advisers, consultants, assistants, and other Palace aides from Malacañang. He gave reporters copies of the list.

It includes Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo, Presidential Spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao, Presidential Chief of Staff Renato Corona, and Presidential Legal Counsel Avelino Cruz Jr., all receiving a monthly salary of P40,425 and other perks.

The President has 12 advisers: Paul Dominguez on regional development, Eduardo Ermita on the peace process, Jose Rufino on political affairs, Arturo Carillo on special concerns, Parouk Hussin on Muslim Mindanao concerns;

Connie de Guzman on appointments, Angelito Sarmiento on agricultural modernization, Orlando Macaspac on police affairs, Gabriel Claudio on legislative affairs, Renato de Villa on strategic concerns, and Howard Dee on indigenous people’s affairs.

All 12 hold the rank of a Cabinet member. All, except De Villa and Dee, receive P40,425 a month and other perks.

Mrs. Arroyo has two consultants on national affairs: Hilarion Henares Jr. and Antonio Oppen. They don’t receive any salary.

She has 20 assistants for various concerns: Manuel Gaite, Mona Valisno, Erlinda de Leon, Renato Diaz, Crisanto Castro Jr., Victor Domingo, Rene Villa, Antonio Oppus Jr., Jesus Dureza, Rachel Delfino, Manuel Andal;

Isabel Canlas de Leon, Josephine Dominguez, Cecilia Rebong, Margarita Cojuangco, Angelo Diaz, Marciano Paynor Jr., Cesar Sarino, Cesar San Andres Lacuna, and Virgilio Leyretana.

Failon and Suplico said they could not understand why Mrs. Arroyo needs so many advisers.

The Leyte congressman said ousted President Joseph Estrada was criticized for having kept a long list of advisers and consultants.

"This administration is no different," he said.

During the debates on the P3.1-billion OP budget, opposition Rep. Ronaldo Zamora (PMP, San Juan) questioned the rationale for the Palace decision to put the National Food Authority (NFA) and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) under it.

The two agencies were previously under the supervision of the Department of Agriculture. — With Paolo Romero