Del Callar resigns as Napocor president, cites health reasons

(Updated 12:20 p.m.) MANILA, Philippines - National Power Corp. (Napocor) president Cyril del Callar has resigned from his post due to health reasons, Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes confirmed on Friday. During the Senate subcommittee hearing on the proposed 2009 budget of the Department of Energy (DOE), Reyes said he received del Callar’s letter of resignation Thursday, adding the resignation will take effect at the end of the month. Reyes refused to give names as to who will replace del Callar, saying Malacañang will decide on the matter. Earlier in the day, a dzBB report said Press Secretary Jesus Dureza confirmed del Callar's resignation but said he would give more details at a press briefing later in the day. Sought for comment, Napocor corporate communications manager Dennis Gana said the power firm's officials and employees have yet to be informed of del Callar's resignation, saying del Callar remains the company's president. “So far, wala pang sinasasabi sa aming ganyang ang President namin (So far, we have not been given such information). He (del Callar) is still our president," Gana said. Del Callar was a career official in the Energy department before being named to the Napocor's top post. Del Callar’s resignation came a few days after PNOC Alternative Fuels Corporation (PNOC-AFC) president and chief executive officer Peter Anthony Abaya, also relinquished his post, also due to health reasons. His resignation will be effective on October 9. Former Army chief Romeo Tolentino, who is reportedly known for spearheading jatropha-planting in all military camps, has been picked as Abaya’s replacement. Tolentino was a classmate of Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and former Armed Forces chief Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. - Mark Merueñas, Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV