PPP executive director quits

MANILA, Philippines - The executive director of President Aquino’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program has quit even before the administration’s much-vaunted program has taken off.

Philamer Torio has filed his resignation and Cosette Canilao will be temporarily taking his place, according to Secretary Ricky Carandang of the Presidential Communications Strategic Planning and Development Office.

Carandang, however, dismissed insinuations that the resignation was a result of differences in policy with the Aquino administration.

He said Torio wanted to pursue further studies abroad.

“Phil Torio of the PPP Center resigned to pursue higher studies abroad and he has submitted his resignation. We have not formally accepted it yet but we have indicated that the resignation will be accepted,” Carandang told reporters yesterday.

He said the President is in the process of finding a replacement for Torio.

“I do understand that, for all intents and purposes, we have accepted the resignation. I believe we are in the process of finding a new appointment. So it’s just a matter of formality - the formal acceptance of Mr. Torio’s resignation,” Carandang added.

Carandang also shot down speculations that Torio and Canilao are at odds.

“I’ve spoken to Ms. Canilao on a number of occasions. She has never brought up any kind of issues that she had with Mr. Torio and I don’t believe there were any issues. I think this is pretty straightforward,” he said.

Carandang said Canilao would oversee the implementation of PPP projects until a permanent replacement is appointed.

The PPP Center was created by Aquino under an executive order, which aims to accelerate the financing, construction and operation of key government infrastructure projects. Torio was appointed to head the PPP program last November.

The PPP was launched last year by the Aquino administration as a means of addressing the country’s lack of critical infrastructure, which has been hit by delays due to the need for further project reviews.