Wednesday, November 29, 2006 Arroyo accepts resignation of telecommunications chief
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Tuesday named her former senior military aide Abraham Abesamis as new chief of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) vice commissioner Ronald Solis who is due to resign from his post.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Arroyo accepted "with regret" the irrevocable resignation pf Solis effective November 30.
The President has appointed retired Real Admiral Abraham Abesamis to replace Solis after November 30.
Presidential chief of staff Michael Defensor clarified that Solis had no misunderstanding with the President prior to his decision to resign and return to private law practice.
He said he talked to Solis, who reiterated his desire to return to the private sector.
Defensor also downplayed speculations that Arroyo is further militarizing the bureaucracy by appointing a retired military man to the NTC.
He said some of the retired military and police officials that Arroyo appointed are among the most effective officials like Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza, a retired police chief, who would be Abesamis' immediate boss.
He added that he does not see any problem with the appointment, adding that Abesamis should be given the opportunity and chance to prove his worth.
Abesamis, a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1972, was the Navy vice commander and chairman of the Navy Housing Board prior to his retirement last year.
He also served as the Armed Forces of the Philippines' deputy chief of staff for communications and electronic information systems before his appointment as Arroyo's senior military aide.
Abesamis was also one of the members of the Armed Forces military court that tried former Armed Forces comptroller Carlos Garcia on graft and corruption charges. (JMR/Sunnex)
