MANILA, Philippines ? (UPDATE) Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane has submitted his resignation letter to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo even as Palace officials urged him to resign if he were serious about running for president in the 2010 elections.

The secretary?s office Wednesday night faxed to the Philippine Daily Inquirer a copy of Ebdane?s resignation letter addressed to the President and confirming his presidential bid. The faxed copy did not indicate the date of the letter.

In the letter, Ebdane said his years of service with Ms Arroyo led to his decision ?to offer myself to our countrymen.?

But Ebdane spoke of ?barriers in the administration party?s selection process? which he said ?negate(d) any participation on my part.?

?As such to avoid any conflict of interest in my present position and to ensure that the work of building roads and bridges continues in our fast-forward mode, I ask that I be given the privilege to resign from my position (as Public Works secretary),? he added

Ebdane said his resignation was to take effect immediately.