(Eagle News) – President Benigno Aquino III said he is hoping Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo will finish work related to the country’s hosting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in November before he leaves the government to go back to the private sector.
The President said he is set to meet with Domingo this week to discuss the latter’s resignation.
The President confirmed that Domingo had indeed submitted his resignation letter, but that the date of its effectivity had not yet been defined.
Aquino said Domingo might leave the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) after the APEC Summit in November. He said he is also asking Domingo to give his recommendations as to his replacement.
“Baka tatapusin muna ‘yung APEC, baka hanggang katapusan ng taon. Pero, again, mag-uusap kami this week. Nagtanong ako sa kanya (ng) rekomendasyon niya kung sino ang ipahahalili sa kanya. (He might finish APEC, or he might stay on until year-end. But then again, we’ll talk this week. I’m asking for his recommendations as to who should replace him (at the DTI)” he said.
The President also thanked Domingo for his efforts as DTI chief to prepare the needed work for the APEC Summit in November. He said direct investments grew six-fold under his watch.
“We would like to thank Secretary Domingo for all of the work that he has done on behalf of the country. Iyong direct investments na sixfold ang nilaki; itong paho-host natin ng APEC and so many other things that have happened under his watch in DTI,” said the President.
He recognized Domingo’s sacrifices in public service and said that it is understandable that he would go back to the private sector.
Ang dulo nito nagpapasalamat ako kay Secretary Domingo na ‘yung kanyang pagpapaalam na-extend nang na-extend at lalo na dahil mag-ho-host nga tayo ng APEC. So, wala pa kaming pinagkasaraduhang kung anong petsa pero ‘yung inaasahan ko sa kanya na talagang hindi niya tayo iiwan … na ‘yung matindi pa ang pangangailangan sa serbisyo niya,” he added.
Domingo was appointed as head of the DTI by President Aquino on June 30, 2010, and is thus among the first cabinet appointees of the Aquino administration.
