(UPDATE) DOTC chief De Jesus resigns

MANILA, Philippines - An official of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) today announced that Secretary Jose "Ping" de Jesus has already resigned.

DOTC Undersecretary Dante Velasco confirmed De Jesus's resignation during an interview over dzBB radio.

The undersecretary said that De Jesus resigned due to personal reasons, but did not elaborate.

Reports said De Jesus handed his resignation letter to President Benigno Aquino III on Monday afternoon. His resignation takes effect June 30.

The resigned secretary also served under the administration of President Aquino's mother, the late President Cory Aquino, as public works chief.

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., meanwhile, confirmed De Jesus's resignation. He said the DOTC chief "probably wants to do something else" already.

Ochoa said he was not aware of what transpired during the meeting between President Aquino and De Jesus on Monday afternoon in Malacañang because only the two were there.

Asked whether the President was not satisfied with De Jesus’ performance, Ochoa said: “I don’t think so.”

Palace sources said De Jesus wanted to go back to the private sector, but details of the secretary’s talk with the President could only be disclosed by him and the Chief Executive.

Ochoa said he would know the Cabinet member that the President was alluding to when he announced that he might give one of his officials a new assignment.

“Up to now the President kept to himself whoever he was referring to. As far as I'm concerned, he has not discussed it with me so I'm not in a position to tell you what it really meant,” Ochoa said. (Aurea Calica)