Erap to Binay: Accept post in Aquino government

MANILA, Philippines - Former President Joseph Estrada advised yesterday vice president-elect Jejomar Binay to reconsider his decision to refuse a Cabinet post under the administration of incoming president Benigno Aquino III.

Speaking after Binay administered the oath taking of local officials of Navotas City, Estrada said if he were Binay he would accept the offer of Aquino to head the fact-finding commission that would look into allegations of corruption under the administration of President Arroyo.

“In the end, he’d have to help president-elect Benigno Aquino III instead of just being an NPA, a non-performing asset,” he said.

Estrada said when he was vice president during the Ramos administration, he served as chairman of the Presidential Anti-Crime Commission.

“I was not offered a Cabinet portfolio,” he said. “I was offered the Presidential Anti-Crime Commission. I accepted it.”

Estrada vowed to support Binay’s plans to uplift the lives of poor Filipinos.

It was the first time that Estrada and Binay met after the former president left for Europe at the height of the canvassing of votes for president and vice president.

On Thursday evening, Binay presided over the oath taking of Estrada’s son, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada at the headquarters of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino in Mandaluyong.

Binay told Estrada that he would consider his advice.

DENR secretary: Aquino did not extend my term

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Horacio Ramos denied yesterday reports that Aquino has extended his term.

“President-elect Aquino has yet to name his DENR secretary,” he said. 

Ramos said it is Aquino’s prerogative to name a secretary of his own choice.

“Let us leave it to the discretion of the chief executive to name his Cabinet members, and wait for him to announce his decision,” he said.

Ramos said he is puzzled as to who are behind the disinformation campaign.

“If you go through the newspaper reports, it would appear that I have made the announcement myself, when in reality I was never interviewed regarding this matter,” he said.

Ramos said he considers himself as a transition secretary.

His stay at the DENR is to ensure a smooth turnover to the new secretary of the incoming administration in July, he added.

Ramos assumed office last February, replacing then acting Secretary Eleazar Quinto. 

Ramos is the first DENR secretary to rise from the ranks. He has served the government for 40 years, starting as a mining engineer, later becoming director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau.     – With Rhodina Villanueva