MANILA, Philippines — Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday said Malacañang is very supportive of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat’s call to replace department officials.
“Very supportive,” Roque said in a press briefing.
“Of course, all Cabinet secretaries, especially those who have just been appointed, enjoy the full trust and confidence of the president and we would want them to have a fresh start and we would want them to pick their own management team –the most effective in their jobs,” he added.
Last Tuesday, Puyat ordered the undersecretaries and assistant secretaries of former Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo to submit their respective courtesy resignations.
Puyat clarified that the courtesy resignations do not mean that the officials would be removed from office. She said they would not remove nor shuffle the officials immediately because the DOT is “in a middle of a budget season.”
“I told them that I will judge their performance first,” Puyat said.
“I will see first what fits my vision or what I want to do or maybe who knows some of them might not want to work with me,” she said.
The Tourism chief also said she would retain one of the undersecretaries, Benito Bengzon Jr., an undersecretary for the tourism development planning sector. He is now designated as the new DOT spokesperson.
READ: Bengzon is officially new DOT spokesperson
The DOT's undersecretaries and assistant secretaries have until Monday to submit their resignation letters.
Asked if the Palace would intervene if the DOT officials fail to file their resignations and pressure them to tender resignations, Roque said they would just wait.
“Let’s wait within the day, maybe they will all resign,” Roque said.