Palace confirms Secretary Domingo’s intention to quit DTI post

Malacañang on Saturday confirmed that Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo has submitted his resignation letter to President Benigno Aquino III.

"According to Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., Secretary Gregory Domingo has submitted his resignation to President Aquino and that this is under consideration," Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a note to reporters on Saturday afternoon.

"Secretary Ochoa is awaiting word from the President regarding this matter," Coloma also said.

Earlier, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Malacañang had not received any information that Domingo will be quitting his post next month—as indicated in an earlier report.

"I saw Secretary Domingo a few weeks ago and he did not … wala naman po siyang nabanggit na ganyan. [Also], I have not been informed of any resignation of any of our Cabinet members," Valte said.
 
Citing "informed sources," a report on the Philippine Star said Domingo is leaving the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) because he "feels burned out."

Valte also said that the secretary has a big role in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation-Leaders' Summit in Manila.

"Malaki talaga ang papel ng DTI pagdating doon sa mga substantive meetings [ng APEC leaders]," Valte said.
 
President Benigno Aquino III appointed Domingo as DTI secretary on June 30, 2010.

Before becoming DTI secretary, Domingo was the Managing Director and Treasurer of Chase Manhattan Bank, Manila. He had also served as Managing Director of Chemical Bank in New York, and was Head of Portfolio Manager for Chase Manhattan Bank's $14 Billion proprietary investment portfolio of fixed income securities and derivatives.

As DTI secretary, Domingo also served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Investments and was a board member of several government- owned and controlled corporations.

Earlier, Aquino said that the APEC Leaders' Summit in Manila in November will focus on economic issues. — LBG/JDS/DVM, GMA News