Over 100 GOCC heads ordered to submit courtesy resignation

MANILA, Philippines —  Over 100 heads of government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) have been ordered to submit courtesy resignations as President Marcos continues the “bold reset” of his administration.

In a notice, the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG) reminded non-ex-officio chairpersons, chief executive officers and appointive members of GOCC governing boards to submit their courtesy resignation.

Attached to the Office of the President, the GCG is the central advisory, monitoring and oversight body authorized to formulate, implement and coordinate policies to govern GOCCs.

In a message to The STAR, GCG chairman Marius Corpus said the order covers 117 GOCCs under GCG alone.

The GCG notice was issued to facilitate a more efficient process for the submission of courtesy resignation.

“There are GOCCs not under the jurisdiction of GCG like economic zones and research institutions,” Corpus said.

GOCCs are agencies organized as a stock or non-stock corporation, vested with functions relating to public needs whether governmental or proprietary in nature. GOCCs are owned by the government directly or through instrumentalities.

Corpus said he submitted his courtesy resignation on May 23, but has yet to hear from Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin whether or not he would be retained.

“It’s really up to the President. I did not apply for my present position and I will be OK with any decision,” Corpus said.

On the 117 GOCCs, Corpus has no record yet as to how many had already submitted courtesy resignations.

In a message, Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund CEO Marilene Acosta confirmed that she submitted her courtesy resignation last week through the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, which exercises oversight function over the shelter agency.

For non-ex officio chairpersons and CEOs, resignations shall be addressed to the President and submitted through the Office of the Executive Secretary.

For appointive directors, trustees and members of GOCC governing boards, resignations shall be addressed to the President but submitted directly to the GCG.

In response to the GCG notice, Philippine National Oil Co. president and CEO Oliver Butalid tendered his courtesy resignation.

Butalid said his move was in support of Marcos’ midterm recalibration and realignment of his administration.

Top GOCCs in terms of dividend remittances include the Land Bank of the Philippines, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp., Philippine Ports Authority, Manila International Airport Authority, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

Under the law, GOCCs are mandated to declare and remit at least 50 percent of their annual earnings, as cash, stock or property dividends to the Bureau of the Treasury.

Dividends from GOCCs are sources of non-tax revenues that fund infrastructure and other social and economic programs of the government.

Calls for retention

Meanwhile, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez yesterday urged President Marcos to retain Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo in his post.

A career diplomat should replace Permanent Representative to the UN Antonio Lagdameo instead, Rodriguez said, noting that “he is the most undeserving to be removed.”

In the Bangsamoro, a bloc in the 80-seat parliament has urged Marcos to retain Antonio Lagdameo Jr. as his special assistant.

In a privilege speech on Monday, parliament member Naguib Sinarimbo reportedly asked Marcos not to replace Lagdameo, saying he “has a good understanding of the deep intricacies and ramifications of the national government’s peace process for the Moro communities.”

Parliament member Abdulkarim Misuari, son of Moro National Liberation Front founder Nur Misuari, said Lagdameo has been helping them sustain the gains of the Sept. 2, 1996 peace accord with the national government. – Jose Rodel Clapano, John Unson