MANILA, Philippines – Finance Secretary Margarito Teves will not resign although he has grown weary of the delays in his confirmation by the Commission on Appointments, Malacañang said yesterday.
“I spoke with him (Teves) and asked him about it (reports) and he denied it,” Presidential Management Staff chief Secretary Cerge Remonde told The STAR.
“But he said he is very hurt by CA and I think he is already experiencing battle fatigue.”
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Teves, who was weary about the CA hearings told him he had tried hard to answer the questions and comply with the requirements of the senators.
“So I suggested to him why not meet with CA members not acting on his confirmation and find out what’s happening,” he said.
Earlier Teves dispelled as “premature conclusions” rumors on his plans to quit the Cabinet because of his non-confirmation.
“I just take these issues being raised against me as legitimate ones and I need to address them,” he told The STAR.
“I was given two weeks by the CA to put down in writing how to address these issues. So it’s too early to make conclusions. It’s been stressful. It’s been an ordeal, really. It’s very tough.”
Teves said Mrs. Arroyo would be the first one to know if he decides to leave the Cabinet.
Contrary to rumors, Mrs. Arroyo was trying her best to have his appointment confirmed, he added.
He said he would try hard to comply with the CA’s requirements in two weeks. – Paolo Romero