Aquino to name new DoTC chief next week

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei — The new chief of the Department of Transportation and Communication will be known next week as President Benigno Aquino III has offered the post to someone  following the resignation of long-time Aquino family friend Jose “Ping” de Jesus.

Over a casual chat with reporters here Wednesday night, Aquino said he has “approached somebody” to take over the post his administration considered among the most important Cabinet portfolios.

Aquino said he would have wanted to ask De Jesus to stay for one more year but was too shy to do so.

“I approached somebody. [He said] if you need me there, OK, but since this is out of the blue, there was no hint [of De Jesus’ resignation], maybe I can mull it over for a while. I expect an answer next week,” Aquino said in an interview at the Philippine ambassador’s residence here.

Pressed on who it might be, Aquino said: “He’s not a stranger to you guys.”

Aquino said De Jesus expressed his intent to return to the private sector when the DoTC chief  met with him at his office on Monday.

He had wanted to request De Jesus to serve a year more on his Cabinet but said he thought twice about pursuing his plea.

“I asked why he wanted to go back to the private sector. I guess there’s more or less focus, you answer to one group in particular, basically your stockholders,” Aquino said.

De Jesus served as public works secretary under Aquino’s late mother, former President Corazon Aquino.  He is set to leave DoTC by the end of June, a year since his appointment.

“He’s not young, as young as he once was.  Ako naman nahiya na akong sabihing baka naman pwedeng one more year. Nahiya na akong i-pursue. He came up to me, then I said my thanks,” he said.