Health Usec Epifanio Lacap Quits

MASANTOL, Pampanga — Feeling that he had been a "mere decoration" in the Department of Health, Health Undersecretary Epifanio Lacap, a staunch supporter of President Arroyo, resigned from his post effective last Monday.

But Lacap, former mayor of this town and chairman of the Aguman ding Capampangan (Society of Capampangans), told The STAR that he would continue campaigning nationwide to press Mrs. Arroyo to reconsider her decision not to run for president next year.

Lacap was among the first Capampangans to be appointed by Mrs. Arroyo soon after she moved to Malacañang following the ouster of former President Joseph Estrada.

He served as Masantol mayor for three successive terms before he was appointed to the DOH. His wife, Corazon, is now this town’s mayor.

Lacap was one of Mrs. Arroyo’s chief campaigners when she ran for vice president in 1998.

While stressing that he had no "rift" with Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit, he lamented that he "had no participation in internal functions" when he was at the DOH.

"I had no power, functions, authority. I was just a mere decoration," he said.

Lacap tendered his resignation last June 23, but the President reportedly did not act on it immediately.

"Some members of my staff whom I brought along also resigned, but there are others with civil service eligibilities whom I asked to be retained. Up to now, this request has not been acted upon," he said.

Lacap said some of his proposals "for the benefit of the administration," including the fielding of more medical missions, were ignored.

"They say I am (close) to the President, but what I feel is that I am near and yet so far," he added.

Meanwhile, Lacap said he is pursuing the project of the Aguman to tap the support of prominent Capampangans, particularly in the Visayas and Mindanao, to press Mrs. Arroyo to change her mind and run for president next year.

"This is something Capampangans are doing without the President’s blessing. We are doing it independently," he said.

Lacap said the campaign has kicked off in the Visayas and Mindanao with streamers urging the President to run in next year’s elections being unfurled.

"I hope that such moves would stir supporters of the President nationwide so they, too, would be more open about their sentiments on her candidacy," he said.

Last month, prominent Capampangans, headed by Gov. Lito Lapid, also launched a movement in Pampanga calling for Mrs. Arroyo’s candidacy. The President’s son, Vice Gov. Mikey Arroyo, however, was not present during the affair.