Duterte accepts resignation of DICT's Rio
MANILA, Philippines — After four months, President Rodrigo Duterte has accepted the resignation of Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Undersecretary Eliseo Rio Jr.
"The Palace thanks Usec. Rio for his invaluable services to the nation and we wish him well in all his future endeavors," presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement released Friday.
The Palace confirms that OCD Assistant Secretary Kristoffer James Purisima has been relieved from his post effective immediately due to loss of trust and confidence.
— Harry Roque (@attyharryroque) May 22, 2020
We likewise affirm that the President has accepted the resignation of DICT Undersecretary Eliseo Rio, Jr. pic.twitter.com/ejS8VkuZZt
The undersecretary tendered his resignation in a letter dated January 30. In February, Rio raised concerns over an anomalous P300 million in confidential funds disbursed by the DICT.
However, Rio and DICT Secretary Gregorio Honasan later said in a joint statement that the issue over the confidential funds was settled. They further clarified that the confidential expense was only used for the lawful monitoring and surveillance of systems and network infrastructure.
Rio led the effort to establish a third major communications player in the country. He was a former Army general who headed the Armed Forces of the Philippines' communications, electronic and information systems until the 2000. He also served as the chief of the National Telecommunications Commission until 2002.
Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra says the Office of the President has not received resignation letters from Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre and Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello.
President Rodrigo Duterte will fire Aguirre this week, according to sources, as the chief executive was unhappy with the dismissal of raps against alleged drug lords.
Director General Dr. Eric Domingo confirms his resignation as chief of the Food and Drug Administration.
His resignation is effective January 3.
"I believe I did my part to help during the pandemic. The FDA is now stronger, more efficient and systems are in place. It's time for me to move on to other things," Domingo says.
Jesus Melchor Quitain, officer-in-charge of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President, has been appointed as chief presidential legal counsel.
He will replace Salvador Panelo, who is running for senator in the 2022 elections.
Bases Conversion and Development Authority President Vince Dizon has tendered his irrevocable resignation.
During the Senate hearing on the agency's proposed budget for 2022, BCDA Executive Vice President Aileen Zosa confirmed that the resignation of Dizon to President Rodrigo Duterte was effective October 15.
Dizon, however, will remain in Duterte's Cabinet as deputy chief implementer of the government's COVID-19 response.
Malacañang confirms the appointment of controversial retired military general Antonio Parlade Jr. as deputy director-general of the National Security Council. — The STAR/Alexis Romero
President Rodrigo Duterte says he has fired National Electrification Administration Administrator Edgardo Masongsong from public service because of corruption issues.
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