Budget chief quits, other Cabinet execs to follow

Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya on Wednesday became the first Cabinet official to resign following a Supreme Court decision banning appointed officials to run in the May 10 elections. Andaya’s resignation was relayed to the media by presidential political spokesperson and election lawyer Romeo Macalintal, a radio dzMM report said. Andaya is running for congressman of Camarines Sur. Malacañang has yet to name Andaya’s replacement. Other Cabinet officials affected by the Supreme Court ruling are Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, who is running for congressman of Batangas; Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera, Quezon province; Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, Bohol; and Presidential Management Staff head Hermogenes Esperon Jr., Pangasinan. Also affected is Chief presidential legal adviser Raul Gonzalez, who is eyeing a mayoral seat in Iloilo City. Ready to resign Devanadera and Ermita have already confirmed their plan to resign. "I’m ready to resign . . . Definitely, I'm resigning as certain as taxes and death," Devanadera told reporters at the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters in Camp Crame on Wednesday. Press Secretary Crispulo Icban Jr. said in an interview by radio dzXL that Ermita is expected to resign on March 12. "I have talked to Secretary Ermita. He said he is winding down his stint as executive secretary. He will run and campaign but is just finishing pending work in his office," Icban said. Icban also said that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, in Tuesday's Cabinet meeting in Palawan, directed Cabinet officials running in May to leave their posts. He said President Arroyo considers appointed officials still attending Cabinet meetings as “guests" to prevent any future legal question. Deemed resigned Voting 10-5, the Supreme Court on Monday reversed its December 1 decision and ruled that provisions of the Omnibus Election Code deeming appointed officials as resigned were constitutional. It recognized the difference between appointive and elective posts, saying the “equal protection" clause should not be applied to them. Section 66 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 881, or the Omnibus Election Code, states that, “Any person holding a public appointive office or position, including active members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and officers and employees in government-owned or controlled corporations, shall be considered ipso facto resigned from his office upon the filing of his certificate of candidacy." - KBK/RSJ, GMANews.TV