Trade Secretary Domingo resigns

Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo has resigned from the Cabinet, Malacañang confirmed, but President Aquino has yet to act on the resignation. 

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. relayed the information to reporters Saturday afternoon upon verifying it with Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr.

“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 published by the Philippine Star on Saturday quoted unnamed sources as saying Domingo has been feeling “burned out,” so he decided to tender his resignation as trade chief, effective next month.

When asked about the reported resignation during her regular weekend morning briefing over Radyo ng Bayan, Deputy Malacañang Spokesman Abigail Valte said she was unaware of it.

But she shared concerns over the possibility of losing Domingo at this point, since he plays an essential role in the country’s hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit scheduled in November.

“Malaki talaga ang papel ng DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) pagdating doon sa mga substantive development doon sa meetings,” she said. Domingo is among the original members of Mr. Aquino’s Cabinet. WITH PNA