Estrada asks Zamora to stay longer

Executive Secretary Ronaldo Zamora has been requested by President Estrada to stay a little bit longer with the Cabinet to effect the smooth transition into office of his replacement.

Zamora, who left for the US yesterday for his annual medical check-up, earlier expressed his desire to leave the Cabinet ahead of other resigning officials. He had wanted to start his terminal leave so he could submit his resignation early January, or one month ahead of the Feb.14 deadline for the filing of certificate of candidacy for the May 2001 elections.

He is expected to return to the country by the second week of January to prepare for a bid to run for a seat in his old congressional district of San Juan.

The President has already designated Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Ramon Cardenas as acting executive secretary while Zamora is in the US.

Zamora confirmed yesterday that more names have been included in the list of possible replacements. Early contenders include Agriculture Secretary Edgardo Angara, Finance Secretary Jose Pardo, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Magdangal Elma and former Ambassador to Washington Ernesto Maceda, who is now the President’s spokesman in matters relating to the impeachment trial.

"It seems the President is thinking of other names. But he told me that he has not chosen anyone yet, and will probably do so after the New Year," Zamora said.

A number of other posts are expected to be vacated by officials running in next year’s polls.

Like Zamora, Press Secretary Ricardo Puno is also planning to run in next year‘s polls, probably as senator under the ruling Lapian ng Masang Pilipino coalition. – Marichu Villanueva