NDRRMC chief Ramos can’t leave his post without Aquino’s OK

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) executive director Benito Ramos. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Executive Director Benito Ramos would have to stay in his position as President Benigno Aquino III has yet to approve his resignation that he filed early this month.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said Ramos, whose resignation should take effect by Feb. 1, has to be properly relieved if the orders are signed.

“The approval of his resignation has not been put into play, which means even if we reach beyond February 1 he cannot leave his post until the President gives his word. Soldiers have this saying , we quit our post only when properly relieved and…he will be properly relieved if the orders are signed,” Gazmin told reporters at the press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo on Wednesday.

Both Gazmin and Ramos are retired Army generals.

One of the candidates to replace Ramos is retired Army general Eduardo del Rosario, who once headed the Task Force Kalihim. It was responsible for the search and retrieval operations of the plane crash of Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo last year.