Palace exec to public: Stop speculations on Ping de Jesus' exit

Malacañang on Saturday asked the public to end speculations linking the impending exit of Jose de Jesus as Transportation and Communications secretary to Land Transportation Office (LTO) head Virginia Torres. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the speculations were based on reports citing “unnamed sources" that De Jesus quit because of Torres. “This particular source in [the Department of Transportation and Communications] insists there is an April 6 memo drafted by Secretary de Jesus… that he requested the President to exercise disciplinary authority. We are not aware of such [a] memo," she said. Valte said the Palace is not aware of the memo. “Pinapahanap [na ‘yung memo], pero walang advise sa atin ang Office of the Executive Secretary that there is such a memo." Torres — a shooting buddy of the President Benigno Aquino III — was asked to take a leave of absence after she was accused of favoring one of the parties in a dispute over the information technology service provider of the LTO. Torres had denied the allegations and is reportedly due to return to her post soon. De Jesus, on the other hand, resigned his post earlier this month, although his resignation will take effect June 30. Former Sen. Manuel Roxas II will take over the post. “Until such time evidence comes out, these sources are not to be taken seriously. De Jesus and Aquino have already spoken. There is no need to dwell on the issue further. It serves no other purpose than to confuse," Valte said. — JE, GMA News