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(Update) Ermita, 2 other Cabinet execs quit posts


Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita on Thursday said he and two other Cabinet officials who will run for Congress in the May elections have already tendered their resignation. Ermita, who will run for Batangas congressman, said the other Cabinet officials are Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera (Quezon), and Presidential Management Staff director general Hermogenes Esperon Jr. (Pangasinan). Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya (Camarines Sur) announced his resignation Wednesday. Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) director general Augusto Syjuco Jr., who will run for Congress in Iloilo, has also expressed his intention to vacate his post, Ermita said. “I have to resign because there is a Supreme Court decision," he said. Not yet final He, however, added that they would continue with their official functions until President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo formally accepted their resignation or the Supreme Court decision becomes final and executory. “It depends on the final decision of the President, but legally it’s okay for us to still be there because it is not final and executory," Ermita said. Ermita said he gave his courtesy resignation to President Arroyo Wednesday. The resignation occurred four days after the Supreme Court, voting 10-5, ruled that appointive officials who filed their certificates of candidacy (COC) for the May elections are deemed resigned. Section 66 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 881, or the Omnibus Election Code, states that, “Any person holding a public appointive office or position, including active members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and officers and employees in government-owned or controlled corporations, shall be considered ipso facto resigned from his office upon the filing of his certificate of candidacy." Yap, Gonzalez still mum Other affected government officials who have yet to bare their plans following the SC ruling are Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, who will run for Congress in Bohol; and chief presidential legal counsel Raul Gonzalez, who is eyeing a mayoral seat in Iloilo City. Ermita assured that the two would submit their resignation letters soon. Deputy presidential spokesman Ricardo Saludo said there would be a proper transition between the outgoing Cabinet members and their replacements so as not to affect the efficiency of their agencies. Ermita said he has no idea who his replacement would be. “Hindi ko alam (I don’t know). Anybody can make a good executive secretary," he said. - with Mark D. Merueñas, KBK, GMANews.TV

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