Batuhan taking cue from Roxas to resign

CEBU, Philippines - Department of Transportation and Communication Undersecretary Aristotle Batuhan is just waiting for the formal assumption to office of the newly appointed secretary before he will tender his courtesy resignation.

Batuhan, who is the only DOTC undersecretary that has not submitted courtesy resignation yet, said he will follow his three colleagues as soon as incoming Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas assumes office on July 1.

“At the very least, I will serve in the transition team,” said Batuhan.

Batuhan, a Cebuano lawyer, is currently the undersecretary for legal, administration and comptrollership who is tasked to review all big contracts entered into by the administration of former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Asked if he is hopeful to retain his current position with the new leadership in the DOTC, Batuhan said he does not want to be “presumptuous.”

Although, Batuhan has a better chance of being retained because he is one of the campaign volunteers for the Noy-Mar ticket during the last elections. Roxas, who was President Aquino’s runningmate in the May 2010 elections, was appointed to replace former secretary Jose de Jesus who tendered his resignation last May 30. (FREEMAN)