Cristobal named acting trade chief

Malacañang yesterday named Trade Undersecretay Adrian S. Cristobal Jr. acting chief of the Department of Trade and Industry effective Dec. 31, replacing Gregory L. Domingo whose resignation had taken effect.

Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said Cristobal would serve as interim secretary of the DTI starting on Thursday.

Coloma, also head of the Presidential Communications Operations Office, said “a transmittal letter has been sent to the Commission on Appointments.”

Domingo resigned last September but President Aquino asked him to continue serving until after the Apec (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) Summit that the Philippines hosted last month.

According to the DTI secretary’s office, which confirmed Coloma’s announcement, Domingo has been on leave since Dec. 22.

Since then, Undersecretary Victorio Mario A. Dimagiba had been officer in charge.

Cristobal first joined the DTI in 2001 as undersecretary in charge of the consumer welfare and trade regulation group. Being a lawyer, he was tasked to lead the DTI’s office of legal affairs and served as the DTI secretary’s chief of staff.

In 2005, Cristobal was appointed director general of the Intellectual Property Office, serving a full term until 2009.

Cristobal joined the administration of President Aquino in August 2010 as DTI undersecretary for international trade.

Following a reorganization in 2012, Cristobal was appointed DTI undersecretary for industry development and trade policy. He also served as managing head of the Board of Investments.

His first stint in government was at the Department of the Interior and Local Government, where he was special assistant to the secretary from 1991 to 1994. With a report from Jerry E. Esplanada