Cabinet should tender courtesy resignations, Drilon says

Senate President Franklin Drilon urged Cabinet members and other top officials yesterday to tender their courtesy resignation to give President Arroyo a free hand in forming a new and credible government.

"Let us give the President wide leeway in appointing new members of her Cabinet and other officials. Concerned officials should tender their courtesy resignation instead of waiting to be replaced," he said in an interview over radio station dzBB.

With her mandate having been weakened by repeated allegations of electoral fraud, Drilon said Mrs. Arroyo should do what former President Fidel Ramos did in 1992 when he narrowly defeated Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago.

"President Ramos won by a slim margin. President Arroyo defeated Mr. Fernando Poe Jr. also by a slim margin, about three percent. She should move quickly to form a credible government and consolidate the nation," he added.

Asked who are the Cabinet members he wants replaced, Drilon said it would be up to the President.

Last Monday, the Senate president said he wanted to see changes in the financial and infrastructure agencies which he pointed out are critical in the nation’s economic turnaround.

Specifically, he mentioned the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

The DPWH is headed by acting Secretary Florante Soriquez, who has a graft case pending with the Office of the Ombudsman. Former Philippine National Police chief Leandro Mendoza heads the DOTC.

Drilon said he often hears of complaints that the lack of infrastructure facilities is one reason why investors are shying away from the country.

It is not clear who among the present members of the Cabinet would be replaced. But if the claim of House Deputy Speaker Raul Gonzalez is to be believed, he would be the new justice secretary on July 1.

Gonzalez has said in an interview over radio dzMM that he would be taking Mrs. Arroyo’s "standing offer" for him to be her justice secretary once his term as Iloilo City representative ends on June 30, or Wednesday next week.

The justice department is now headed by acting Secretary Merceditas Gutierrez who, according to her subordinates, deserves to be appointed in a permanent capacity.

Drilon is reportedly quietly blocking the supposedly impending takeover of Gonzalez of the justice department, which the Senate boss headed during the Aquino administration.

The two do not see eye to eye when it comes to Iloilo politics, according to Senate sources.

Besides, it would not look good for Mrs. Arroyo if she appointed Gonzalez, who presided over the recent controversial canvassing of votes for president and vice president jointly with Senate Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan.