Aquino communications exec resigns

Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Presidential Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang resigned his post and President Benigno Aquino III accepted it Tuesday, Malacanang said in a press briefing Thursday.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Aquino accepted the resignation of Carandang effective December 31.

Malacanang kept mum on the details of his resignation.

Lacierda said Carandang would return to the private sector after a short and well-deserved vacation.

He added that Undersecretary Manuel Quezon III being the most senior official of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) would oversee the office’s operations.

“Secretary Carandang thanked the President for the chance to serve the administration and the country. The president also thanked him for his service to the country,” Lacierda said.

Before joining Aquino’s Cabinet, Carandang was in the business sector and then became an anchor of the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC).

He is the first head of the  PCDSPO, created in 2010 at the beginning Aquino’s term.  PCDSPO serves as the President’s chief message-crafting body.

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