(Eagle News) – Malacanang on Saturday confirmed that Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Gregory Domingo has quit the Cabinet.
Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. relayed the information to Palace reporters Saturday afternoon (Sept. 12) upon verifying it with Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr.
Coloma said President Benigno S. Aquino III is yet to respond on the matter.
“According to Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., Secretary Gregory Domingo has submitted his resignation to President Aquino and that this is under consideration. Secretary Ochoa is awaiting word from the President regarding this matter,” Coloma said in his note.
A news report quoting unnamed sources published by the Philippine Star, Saturday morning, said Domingo has been feeling “burned out” so he decided to tender his resignation as DTI chief effective next month.
When asked about this during her regular weekend morning briefing over Radyo ng Bayan, Deputy Presidential Abigail Valte said she was unaware of this development.
She, however, shared concerns over the possibility of losing Domingo at this point in the administration since he plays an essential role in the country’s hosting of the upcoming APEC Leaders’ Summit.
“Malaki talaga ang papel ng DTI pagdating doon sa mga substantive (development) doon sa meetings. (DTI really has a big role to play especially in the substantive (developments) in the meetings),” she said.
Domingo was among the original Cabinet members of President Aquino who has been with his administration from the time he was elected in office on June 30, 2010.
