Another RP minister quits Cabinet

Another RP minister quits Cabinet

PHILIPPINES: Another Cabinet minister has quit Philippine President Gloria Arroyo's government, officials said on Sunday, but denied it was linked to allegations of vote fraud against the embattled leader.

Silvestre Afable resigned from his post as chief of the presidential palace's communications department, but will stay on as Manila's chief peace negotiator with the Muslim separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), said Arroyo's spokesman Ignacio Bunye.

"I know that he has expressed a desire on the peace process. He will continue with the OCD (Office of the Communications Director) until a replacement is made," Bunye said.

He did not say what prompted Afable to quit, but denied press speculation that the minister's resignation was linked to an ongoing political crisis engulfing Arroyo's presidency.

Afable could not be immediately reached for comment.

Arroyo's political adviser Gabriel Claudio also confirmed Afable's resignation, but stressed he remains a part of Arroyo's government as a chief negotiator.

"He wants to focus on it," Claudio said, referring to Afable's negotiations with MILF. -- AFP