GMA admits ‘intense lobbying’ vs unconfirmed Cabinet men

The longer Cabinet secretaries’ confirmations are deferred, the longer vultures and hyenas gather at the Palace halls.

President Arroyo admitted yesterday that there has been "intense lobbying" by certain individuals and groups for possible replacements of two Cabinet members whose confirmations have repeatedly been bypassed by the Commission on Appointments (CA).

In a radio interview, Mrs. Arroyo confirmed the lobbying for the posts of Transportation Secretary Pantaleon Alvarez and Environment Secretary Heherson Alvarez.

"It’s true, there is already big lobbying," the President said.

She has issued new ad interim appointments to the two and has not prepared a short list yet of possible replacements.

"No, because I’m still trying to work for their confirmation," she said. "They are still trying to present, explain, and work in trying to convince the Commission members that they are really qualified to sit in their posts."

She said she will continue to bat for the confirmation of the Alvarezes because "as long as there is a chance ... I ask their (congressmen’s) indulgence that I will still submit their names."

Mrs. Arroyo advised her two embattled Cabinet members to "continue to campaign, explain their sides, find solutions to the complaints that have reached the congressmen."

The President admitted earlier she had left out the names of Pantaleon and Heherson Alvarez when she issued new ad interim appointments to Cabinet members bypassed anew by the CA before Congress adjourned for the Christmas break

Mrs. Arroyo met yesterday with the environment secretary at Malacañang in her dialogue with the former congressmen who started the ball rolling in the impeachment petition against then President Joseph Estrada.

Other Cabinet secretaries who remain unconfirmed but who have new ad interim appointments are Jose Isidro Camacho (Finance), Emilia Boncodin (Budget), Estrella Alabastro (Science), and Noel Cabrera (Press).

Airline backs DOTC chief

Transportation Secretary Pantaleon Alvarez’s chances to be confirmed got a boost yesterday when the Asian Spirit airline came out with a strong statement of support for him.

Asian Spirit praised Alvarez for having "taken cognizance of, and attended to, the problems of the entire aviation industry."

The airline’s director Archibald Po cited the fact that Alvarez had constituted a study committee to look into ways and means to help reduce the operating costs of small carriers like Asian Spirit.

Alvarez was said to have approved the committee’s recommendation to lower the landing fees, hangar lease rates and similar alternatives for fledgling carriers.

The airline is the only one established, owned and operated by its employees.

Po said Asian Spirit like other small carriers motivate small industry players to expand their operations and link neglected and underserved areas to the mainstream of commerce and tourism, spurring the country’s growth and development.

The country’s first cooperative airline company said that the policies, priorities and programs of Secretary Alvarez to stimulate the air transport industry have created a level playing field and healthy competition among airlines.