Romulo: I will not resign from Arroyo Cabinet

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo – controversial for openly expressing his support for Sen. Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III’s presidential bid – has no plans of quitting his post despite a reminder from a Malacañang official. “I will continue to discharge my duties with utmost integrity, professionalism and loyalty which have been the hallmark of my long years of public service," he said in a statement released Tuesday night. Earlier in the day, Cabinet Secretary Silvestre Bello III said Cabinet officials who will not support the administration’s presidential bet in next year’s elections might as well do the "honorable thing" and resign from their posts.

Bello’s reminder came amid reports that Romulo hinted that he would vote for Aquino instead of Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., the looming presidential candidate of the administration, in the 2010 elections. Romulo admitted favoring Aquino, saying his long association with his family – particularly to his mother, the late President Corazon “Cory" Aquino – was the basis for his position. “These comments were originally made in a private conversation. When the comments saw print, I sought to put things in perspective by explaining that my long years of association with Tita Cory and the Aquino family was the basis of my position," he said. Romulo was the budget secretary under the Aquino regime, and had served as the campaign manager of the Mrs. Aquino-endorsed tandem of Alfredo Lim and Sergio Osmeña III in the 1998 elections. The official said his presidential preference means neither a withdrawal of support from President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo nor his transfer to the opposition. “I am standing by the President until the end of her term and beyond," Romulo said. Aquino, for his part, said he was humbled by Romulo's support for his presidential bid.- GMANews.TV