Plunging ratings won't cause Cabinet revamp, Estrada assures

President Estrada reiterated yesterday that he, and not the surveys, will say when a Cabinet member should go.

He issued the statement amid suggestions by some congressmen that Mr. Estrada revamp his Cabinet anew to improve his popularity rating.

As this developed, various groups led by businessmen have embarked on a campaign to gather millions of signatures to force President Estrada to resign, Deputy Minority Leader Sergio Apostol (Lakas, Leyte) said.

Meanwhile, Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. (Lakas, Camarines Sur) said the opposition is trying to forge a broad coalition with other parties in preparation for the 2001 senatorial elections.

He said the opposition can attract the best and the brightest among senatorial hopefuls since it has better chances of winning than the ruling party.

"Any endorsement from a ruling party that is nursing a negative 13 percent rating is a kiss of death," Andaya stressed.

To these, the President told congressmen to just focus their attention on crafting laws that would improve the economy.

In his weekly radio program, the Chief Executive said it is his prerogative, not the polls', to determine who should leave the official family.

Some lawmakers have been suggesting a second round of Cabinet changes after Mr. Estrada's net popularity rating plunged to negative 13 in February, based on a Metro Manila telephone survey commissioned by the government.

The survey showed that 44 percent of the respondents were dissatisfied with the President's performance, compared with 31 percent who were satisfied. The remaining 25 percent were undecided.

While some congressmen blamed his official family for the plunge in the rating, some quarters criticized his haphazard work habits, alleged favoritism of key allies and rising fuel prices.

This led to speculations that there may be attempts to unseat him.

Apostol told reporters that he was shown a copy of a petition with signatures which asks the President to move out of office now.

"The signature gathering is focused in Metro Manila and other centers of population," he said.

He said part of the petition reads: "Enough of Erap. Tama na. Sobra na. Mag-resign na."

He said one of the leaders of the groups soliciting signatures is former National Telecommunications Commission head Jose Luis "Linggoy" Alcuaz.

Mr. Estrada has earlier vowed to finish his six-year term which ends in 2004.

If he resigns, he will be succeeded by Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

According to Rep. Allan Peter Cayetano (LAMP, Taguig-Pateros), the President cannot resign and then call a snap election to elect his successor.-- With Jess Diaz, Marvin Sy