Malacañang: Cabinet officials in campaign need not resign

Government officials involved in the political campaign of President Arroyo for the May 10 elections need not resign from their posts.

This was the position taken by Malacañang yesterday on the issue raised by the group of Army officers calling themselves "Kawal" (soldiers), who denounced the active role of Defense Secretary Eduardo Ermita, among other Palace officials, in the campaign of Mrs. Arroyo.

Ermita was singled out by the group last Wednesday when they called for his resignation and accused him of ordering the military to spy on Mrs. Arroyo’s rivals in the presidential race.

Mrs. Arroyo is seeking a full six-year mandate in the May 10 elections.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye voiced the stand made by Malacañang that all officials involved in the campaign of Mrs. Arroyo need not resign.

Bunye pointed out that Ermita is also the regional head of the ruling Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats in Southern Tagalog Region.

Aside from Ermita, another Palace official involved in the campaign is Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) chairman Secretary Michael Defensor, Mrs. Arroyo’s campaign spokesman.

Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO) Secretary Gabriel Claudio, campaign manager for the administration’s Koalisyon ng Katapatan at Karanasan sa Kinabukasan (K4), is also directly involved in the campaign.

Other point men are presidential adviser on media and ecclesiastical affairs Conrado Limcaoco; presidential liaison on political affairs Jose Rufino who also serves as executive director of the Lakas national committee, and presidential adviser on Official Development Assistance (ODA) Marita Jimenez.

Bunye stressed that some Palace officials involved in the campaign for Mrs. Arroyo have their respective positions and duties in the ruling party that must be carried out during the campaign period which officially starts Feb. 10. –Marichu Villanueva