GMA extends Nani’s leave

It will be a long vacation for Nani.

President Arroyo said yesterday she has granted a request by Justice Secretary Hernando "Nani" Perez to extend his leave for another 30 days to help him fight allegations of corruption.

The President is expected to make a formal statement today on Perez’s fate when she presides over a Cabinet meeting in Baguio City.

In a chat with reporters who visited her at the Arroyo residence in La Vista, Quezon City where the First Family spent Christmas Day, the President also admitted she had a talk with Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr. who is reportedly being eyed as a possible replacement for Perez.

Perez, who went on a month-long leave amid allegations that he accepted a $2-million bribe from Manila Rep. Mark Jimenez, was supposed to go back to work tomorrow at the Department of Justice (DOJ).

On Monday, Jimenez filed with the Office of the Ombudsman criminal charges, including the capital offense of plunder, against Perez, his brother-in-law Ramon Arceo, investment banker Ernest Escaler and several John and Jane Does.

The President said Perez’s leave was being extended, but declined to say how long the extension would be.

"I think it would be for another 30 days… (so he can) really wind up and decisively debunk all these charges," Presidential Spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao said.

He added that Perez was being given more time by the President to "erase all the doubts in the public mind about this circus created by Jimenez."

"The President would make public her decision whether she is satisfied that Secretary Perez has sufficiently explained to the public (about Jimenez’s allegations) because it’s a public explanation rather than the court proceedings (that would really matter), although he would need some more time to debunk point-by-point Congressman Jimenez’s accusations," Tiglao said.

"Considering that he has ulcers to contend with, he’s really doing a good job given the circumstances," he added.

Perez has denied the accusations hurled by Jimenez and Bulacan Rep. Wilfrido Buyson Villarama, saying it was merely a ploy by the controversial Manila lawmaker in order to delay his extradition to face charges of tax fraud and making illegal campaign contributions to the US Democratic party.

The Supreme Court junked last Dec. 17 a petition by Jimenez to post bail, paving the way for his immediate arrest and turnover to US authorities.

Jimenez offered, however, to voluntarily leave the country a day after Christmas. He told reporters that he had struck a compromise with Mrs. Arroyo in which Perez would be given his walking papers.

The President denied, however, Jimenez’s statement, prompting Jimenez to change his mind.

Judge Guillermo Purganan of the Manila Regional Trial Court handling the extradition case approved the arrangement, but Jimenez suddenly changed his mind and said he would rather die than be forcibly shipped out of the country.

Jimenez’s turnaround came when he sensed that the President would allow Perez to go back to his post at the DOJ.

Asked about her meeting with Guingona, Mrs. Arroyo said they talked about a new assignment she was giving him pertaining Filipino seamen and overseas contract workers.

"I think he (Guingona) is happy and contented with what he’s doing now," the President said.

Apparently laying the groundwork for changes in her official family, Mrs. Arroyo has said her secretaries serve at her pleasure, and may be removed or retained as she sees fit.

Tiglao noted that speculations were rife, either in coffeeshops or through text messages, that a Cabinet revamp looms large on the horizon.

In a bid to put the rumors to rest, Tiglao said changes in the government are a presidential prerogative.

The justice portfolio was also reportedly offered to House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales Jr. during his wedding last Saturday to television reporter Queenie Pajati, where the President stood as one of the sponsors. — With AFP report