STORY NO. 1
ROCO URGED: DONT DROP OUT. 2004 CAN WAIT. THE PEOPLE CANNOT.
============================================================
Senator Ralph G. Recto urged Education Secretary Raul Roco to reconsider his decision to bolt the Arroyo Cabinet.
"Like a good teacher he has written the syllabus on improving the educational system. He should not abandon his crusade at a time when it is already bearing fruit," he said.
"For the sake of our students, dont drop out," Recto advised the head of the bureaucracy's biggest agency.
Recto cited the "initial noisy resistance against the strengthened public elementary and secondary school curriculum. True enough, the noise had died down as it gained widespread acceptance."
Recto said it will be the "height of irony if its best performing member will be the first to leave the Cabinet."
"Roco," he said, "should slug it out" in whatever forum administrative charges against him will be lodged.
"Prove your detractors wrong. Dont give them the pleasure of seeing you bow out of office."
The "occupational hazards" Roco had been encountering pale in comparison to the "travails our ordinary maestra has to confront daily."
"Now is the time for Sec. Roco to practice what he preaches. That those in public service should not be members of the Balat-Sibuyas Club," he said.
Senator Francis Kiko Pangilinan did not directly point to the political ambition of Roco but stressed that 2004 is still far and that the Filipino people needs help badly at this point of time.
"2004 can wait, the people cannot. Its regrettable to see him leave. But I respect his decision wish him the best." Pangilinan said.
Pangilinan said Roco is badly needed in this criticall moment.
"We should not allow politics to rear its ugly head this early lest we all fall to the potholes of complacency and ineffectiveness.The government cannot allow itself to be thrown off its track."
Pangilinan added:"We owe it the filipino people to deliver more than what is expected from us."
Senator Manuel Villar expressed dismay on Roco's sudden resignation.
"Sana magreconsider si Raul sa kaniyang resignation. He is a respected man,at nakakatulong sa pagpapaganda ng image ng ating administrasyon. Nakakalungkot din, but I guess in the end, kaniya ang final decision at kung ano ang desisyun niya at dapat lang natin respetuhin." Villar said.
Opposition Senator Edgardo Angara said Roco is most welcome to join the opposition.
Angara said Arroyo's administration should realize that Roco is the man to beat in 2004 and the move against was described by the opposition leader as highly political.
Senator Tessie Aquino Oreta said Roco has earned a positive impression which came out after a conducted survey by Ibon Foundation.
Both Angara and Oreta expressed belief that more cabinet secretaries are expected to give up their posts in the coming days.///camille p. balagtas