Palace: Resignation of government officials coincidence

MALACAÑANG said Tuesday that the series of resignation of government officials was merely a "coincidence" and should not be seen as dissatisfaction with the Aquino administration.

Last Friday, Benito Ramos resigned as head of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC). He said he has to attend to his ailing wife, who has diabetes.

Two days after, Eduardo Banzon resigned as president and CEO of Philhealth Insurance Corporation citing personal and family reasons.

When asked to comment on the series of resignation of government agencies’ heads, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said, “I think nagkakataon lang naman.”

“Well, I suppose you know there are times that people need to move on and need to change different career paths. In the case of Usec. Ramos, he has signified his intent to leave the service in order to attend to his wife,” she added.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin has approved the resignation of Ramos, which will take effect in February 1, 2013. He has no replacement, but Malacañang confirmed that retired Army general Eduardo del Rosario is one of those being considered for the post.

On the case of Banzon, Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Health Secretary Enrique Ona has temporarily been appointed as officer-in-charge (OIC) in Philhealth while they are looking for his replacement.

Banzon’s resignation took effect Monday when he announced his plan to leave during the Philhealth board meeting.

Meanwhile, Malacañang refused to confirm the reported resignation of Cristino Panlilio as undersecretary of Department of Trade and Industry.

Valte is not sure whether the vacant posts could be filled in immediately depending on the effectivity of the appointment ban during election period.

“Baka OIC lang po muna but I will double check with them when the exact date of the ban is,” she said. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)