HAROLD Clavite, director general of the state-run Philippine Information Agency (PIA), has "resigned" from his post, Malacañang announced Monday, September 2.
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said Clavite, through a letter dated July 17, expressed his intent to resign as PIA chief due to "personal reasons."
The President has received Clavite's letter and accepted his resignation, Medialdea said.
"Mr. Harold Clavite, in his letter dated 17 July 2019, manifested his intention to submit his irrevocable resignation to the President citing personal reasons," the Executive Secretary said in a text message.
"He also said that he already gave three years to the country and it’s time for him to go back to his family. This was elevated to the President and thereafter accepted," he added.
But in a separate statement, Clavite clarified that in the July 17 letter "addressed to [Medialdea], not the President," he merely stated that he "intend[s] to submit" a resignation letter.
"If they used that statement to make such decision, then I’ll accept that. I just think it’s not fair that after hearing my side and asking me to write all the details, they would do such without even talking to me," he said.
"The letter asking me to leave on the same day was too harsh not only for me but the organization which was deprived of proper transition and handover," he added.
Clavite, nevertheless, expressed hope that the executive department would ensure that "PIA is properly managed and for it to continue to be a strong force that empowers people through timely, accurate and relevant information— free from political interference and biases.”
Clavite's resignation came following the announcement of Communications Secretary Martin Andanar in June that the now-resigned PIA head was under investigation allegedly because of corruption issues.
Andanar's office, the Presidential Communications Operations Office, supervises the PIA.
Medialdea said the Palace acknowledged Clavite's service and wished him "all the best in his future endeavours.” (SunStar Philippines)