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Thursday, July 19, 2007
Energy chief steps down
* Reyes gets energy portfolio; ex-Manila mayor Atienza will be environment secretary
MANILA -- Malacanang on Wednesday announced that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has accepted the resignation of Energy Secretary Raphael Perpetuo Lotilla, and has replaced him with Environment Secretary Angelo Reyes.
Reyes would be replaced in the environment department by former Manila mayor Jose “Lito” Atienza Jr.
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Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the appointments would take effect before the end of the month.
Ermita also said Lotilla has long been asking Arroyo to allow him to leave the Cabinet and go back to private practice since last year but was prevailed upon to stay on.
He said a few weeks back, Lotilla came to him carrying his resignation letter and the courtesy resignations of top officials of agencies under his department, including officials from the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC).
Ermita said he accepted the courtesy resignations of the other officials but not Lotilla’s because Cabinet secretaries were not required to submit their resignation letters.
He said Lotilla talked to President Arroyo, who afterwards told him to prepare the necessary papers.
Ermita said Lotilla wanted to rest after serving government for 20 years, first as an undersecretary during the Ramos government and later on the Estrada administration. He said Lotilla expressed willingness to be consulted on a number of programs in the energy department.
Ermita dismissed questions on the qualification of Reyes to head the energy department, saying “the President will not choose a Cabinet member to occupy certain positions if the President thinks he cannot handle that. Definitely he is very competent to handle that.”
Reyes, who helped catapult Arroyo to the presidency in 2001 as Armed Forces chief, has held the position of defense secretary, interior secretary, and environment secretary, as well as anti-terrorism and anti-smuggling czar.
He said Reyes’ case is no different from that of former PNP chief Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., who became public works chief, national security adviser, and defense secretary.
Ermita also cited the case of former PNP chief Leandro Mendoza who is now transportation secretary.
He also said Atienza’s appointment in the environment department is not a political payback for his support to her administration.
Ermita also announced the appointment of Press Assistant Secretary Jose Capadocia Jr., a veteran broadcaster, as Press Undersecretary for Media Relations, replacing Isabel de Leon.
Lotilla assured that the policy of the government on privatizing its power assets will continue despite his resignation. “The President has committed to go on with the privatization of the power assets so it’s not merely a stop-gap measure,” Lotilla told reporters.
Asked what would be his plans after his stint at the government, Lotilla said he would take the much needed vacation he has been longing for.
“I want to regain my intellectual appetite,” he added.
There are also reports that National Power Corporation (Napocor) Napocor president Cyril del Callar is set to be replaced either by former energy committee chair Alipio Badelles or former PNP chief Arturo Lomibao. (JMR/MSN/Sunnex)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star General Santos. (July 19, 2007 issue)
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