Jessica “Gigi” Reyes and Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile.
MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile confirmed on Thursday that his chief of staff, Jessica “Gigi” Reyes, has tendered an “irrevocable” resignation.
“Oo nagresign, nagresign [Yes, she resigned],” Enrile said in a television interview.
Asked if he had accepted the resignation, the Senate leader said, “Hindi pa, pero irrevocable ang kanyang resignation [not yet but her resignation is irrevocable].”
But Enrile said he would appeal to Reyes to reconsider her resignation, saying he still needs her in his office.
“Papakiusapan ko dahil kailangan ko sya sa Senado dahil sya ang nakakaalam dun sa aking administrative work, sa aking opisina [I’ll still appeal to her because I need her in the Senate. She’s the one who knows the administrative work in my office],” he added.
The resignation came after Reyes was dragged into the controversy over the P2.2 million given to senators last year as additional maintenance and other operating expenses.
In a privilige speech Wednesday, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano lambasted Reyes for calling him a hypocrite in one radio interview.
Cayetano then revealed how Reyes allegedly acted like a senator, joining and speaking at their caucuses and even signing some documents in behalf of the Senate President.
But Enrile said all Reyes’ action had his approval.
“Aprubado ko lahat yun. Ganyan ako sa lahat ng hinawakan ko. Maging sa Bureau of Customs, Insurance Commission, Department of Justice, Department of National Defense,” he said.
“Meron akong tao na may kompyansa ako,sila ang namamahala sa opisina, sila ang inutusan ko na maging adminstrative officer at sila ang ang gumagawa ng detalye. Ako na ang gumagawa ng desisyon. At ino-authorized ko sa kanila, deni-delegate ko ang kapangyarihan ko sa kanila,” Enrile added.