|
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
Energy chief Perez quits post
MANILA -- Energy Secretary Vicente Perez said Tuesday he was stepping down from his post in March to spend time with his family, particularly his ailing father, and that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has accepted his resignation.
Perez announced his resignation in a press conference Tuesday, adding no commitment or job in the private sector awaits him at present but that he planned to take a long rest and spend more time with his family.
President Arroyo's spokesman Ignacio Bunye said President Arroyo "regretfully accepted" Perez's request to step down as energy secretary but prevailed upon him to stay on until the end of March.
This is to ensure that the privatization of the National Power Corporation and the National Transmission Corporation (Transco) would "remain on track", added Bunye.
Arroyo, according to Bunye, asked Perez to continue helping the country look for ways to invite and attract more investments from outside.
She believes that Perez's experience and credentials as an international investment banker and former Bureau of Investments head and his diplomatic contacts would be invaluable in the task.
Bunye said no replacement for Perez has been named yet but "the President will announce the incoming energy secretary at the appropriate time."
Reports said Raphael Lotilla, president of Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (Psalm) Corporation, is being eyed for the energy portfolio.
"The President thanked Secretary Perez for the valuable assistance he has given her and for his personal financial sacrifice during his four years of dedicated service to the government," he said.
Arroyo also lauded Perez for his role in the implementation of power sector reforms, reorganizing the public energy sector, jumpstarting the privatization of Napocor, ensuring there would no more Luzon-wide blackouts, addressing the power requirements of Visayas and Mindanao and accelerating rural electrification to 6,600 barangays.
She cited him for his "valuable contributions in the country's quest for energy independence through greater reliance on clean, indigenous and sustainable energy sources."
Since 2001, the country has increased its use of indigenous natural gas and geothermal power and has attracted renewed interest in petroleum exploration.
Arroyo thanked Perez for "quarterbacking her energy diplomacy initiatives" by strengthening strategic energy alliances with Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec), Russia, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, United Kingdom and US.
Perez said he primarily intended to spend time with his father, said to be ill with Parkinson's disease, and that he is not closing his doors to the possibility of later returning to government service.
Earlier reports said Perez is being eyed to assume either the finance portfolio or the trade post.
But Bunye said outgoing Trade Secretary Cesar Purisima would officially assume the finance portfolio on February 1.
Purisima would replace Finance Secretary Juanita Amatong who announced her resignation last week, saying Arroyo has other plans for her.
Bunye said President Arroyo is still scouting for Purisima's replacement.
He also said Arroyo is open to suggestions and would listen to the recommendation of the different sectors, especially in choosing her Cabinet members.
"But, we have to emphasize that in the final analysis and in the end iyung desisyun ay sa ating Pangulo (the decision of the President will be followed)," he added.
As to speculations that Perez's resignation was a sure sign the Arroyo administration was fast becoming a sinking ship, Budget Secretary Emilia Boncodin said it was "nowhere near" this.
"Kayo lang naman kasi ang fertile ang imagination (You all have a fertile imagination)," Boncodin said.
Earlier reports also said Internal Revenue Commissioner Guillermo Parayno Jr. and Planning Secretary Romulo Neri want out but Bunye denied knowledge about this.
Customs Commissioner George Jereos is set to retire in February while Bangko Sentral Governor Rafael Buenavetura's seven-year term would end in July.
Boncodin said she could not help but laugh when in December reports circulated that President Arroyo's economic team would be fired and that the administration was becoming a sinking ship after some economic managers resigned.
Asked if she is thinking of turning in her own walking papers, Boncodin said, "I don't dwell on those things. I simply don't dwell on those things. Sa Cabinet kasi (In the Cabinet), you should be prepared, you should be ready (for anything)."
Boncodin added that Perez and Amatong have valid reasons for stepping down although she is saddened that they have to go.
In Perez's case, Boncodin said he just wants to spend time with his father who is suffering form Parkinson's disease.
She said Perez first announced his plan in December but they asked him to consider going on vacation instead but "he cannot commit and he feels that it would not be fair to the energy department as well."
"Nakakapanghinayang (What a waste), such a pity. It's sad that Vince is leaving. I consider him a decent person, knowledgeable. Sayang, mahusay siya (Too bad, he is good) and he has no problem making a financial sacrifice when he entered government service," she added.
Boncodin believes Perez's reforms and achievements during his stint would continue if his replacement "would be as good as he is". (JMR)
(January 26, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
Arrest order v. owners of bodega used as shabu lab