Palace: Give Yap a chance

Malacañang and business groups defended yesterday the reappointment of former Presidential Management Staff (PMS) Director General Arthur Yap as Agriculture secretary, saying he is fit for the job.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said Yap "is a capable and competent official who has already proven himself in the agricultural portfolio."

"Let us give him a break to do his job to increase farm productivity and create more jobs in that sector," Bunye said in a statement.

Business groups, including the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc., Export Development Council, Employers Confederation of the Philippines, expressed support for Yap’s appointment.

In their resolution submitted to President Arroyo during the 32nd Philippine Business Conference at the Manila Hotel, the business groups said Yap would help the country’s agriculture sector reach its full potential.

"His (Yap) appointment will significantly help improve the performance and competitiveness of Philippine agriculture," it read.

Yap said he was not bothered by criticism as he has a clear conscience, as he vowed to do his best at the Department of Agriculture (DA) as well as reach out to his detractors.

Yap headed the DA but resigned in June last year after his father was charged for tax evasion by the Bureau of Internal Revenue. He was then appointed to head the PMS this year.