DTI chief’s ‘resignation’ won’t affect Apec events

A trade official on Tuesday allayed concerns about the impact of Trade Secretary Gregory L. Domingo’s possible resignation on the preparations for the remaining Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) meetings, which will culminate in the Leaders’ Summit in November.

Trade Undersecretary Ponciano C. Manalo, Jr. made an assurance that all the meetings have long been planned and ironed out and that “everything is in order.”

Manalo said there will be no disruptions. While Domingo is supposed to sit as chair of the Apec this year, there are also other government agencies and organizations working to ensure the smooth conduct of the Apec meetings across the country, he said.

The trade official further noted that everything is still on status quo pending any final announcement from Malacañang.

“He just submitted his resignation… But in the meantime, he is still the secretary. He has not categorically resigned yet,” Manalo said.

Domingo said via text message on Monday that he was mulling to put off his resignation to a latter date, possibly after the conclusion of the Apec meetings.

“The President told me that some of the Cabinet [members] think that I should stay on until Apec and I told him we can adjust the date [of stepping down]. I will meet with the President soon to discuss the exact date,” Domingo had said.

Reports of his resignation surfaced over the weekend. Domingo later confirmed he submitted his resignation to President Aquino, but did not divulge the reasons behind this move.

Domingo was one of the first Cabinet secretaries to be appointed in the Aquino administration back in 2010.

Prior to Domingo’s appointment as trade secretary, he held a number of positions in the private sector such as SM Investments Corp., BDO, Belle Corp., and Meralco.