Palace formally names Tampinco new Napocor chief

(Updated 3:26 p.m.) MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang formally announced Monday the appointment of Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (Psalm) official Froilan Tampinco as the new head of the National Power Corp. Radio dzBB's Aileen Intia reported that Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita made the announcement Monday afternoon. Tampinco will succeed Cyril del Callar as head of the National Power Corp. (Napocor), who resigned for health reasons. Del Callar's resignation takes effect September 30. "I think...while I have not seen the appointment...I think it is toward the end of this month. The resignation of Cyril del Callar was accepted," Ermita said. Ermita said President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo informed him of Tampinco's appointment before leaving for New York Sunday night. But Ermita said President Arroyo did not say who will replace Tampinco at Psalm. On Saturday, Ermita said on government-run dzRB radio that Tampinco appears to be the logical choice to replace del Callar. He said this should quell speculations about the timing of del Callar's resignation paving the way for irregularities in the privatization of Napocor assets. Besides, Ermita said Tampinco is "next in line" to del Callar. He did not elaborate. Earlier, Press Secretary Jesus Dureza denied knowledge of reports that Tampinco will be del Callar's replacement. - with a report from Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV