Laus replaces Antonio Ng, who has long wanted to resign and return to the private sector, Trade and Industry Peter Favila told reporters covering Mrs. Arroyo’s visit here.
The President is here on the second leg of her five-nation swing to Europe and the Pacific.
Prior to arriving here on Tuesday, she was in Helsinki, Finland where she was one of the keynote speakers at the 6th Asia-Europe Meeting.
Accompanying Mrs. Arroyo is Laus’ wife, Tessie. Favila said business groups in Pampanga endorsed Laus as the next CDC president.
Ng told reporters yesterday that he wanted to "move on" after setting the "momentum" that could create 175,000 jobs at the Clark special economic zone and accommodate some three million passengers at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport.
"It has been a good experience. I learned a lot and I grew," said Ng, who took over as CDC president and chief executive officer in March last year.
"It has been unforgettable dealing with a variety of stakeholders," he added. — Paolo Romero and Ding Cervantes