New trade secretary vows to move fast in last 6 months

CRISTOBAL JR.: Full speed ahead for DTI

NEWLY named Trade Secretary Adrian S. Cristobal Jr. on Monday vowed to move at full speed in the last six months of the Aquino administration and build on the gains achieved by his predecessor despite the limited time under his leadership.

During the turnover ceremonies Monday, Cristobal paid homage to former Trade Secretary Gregory L. Domingo for bringing the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to where it is now, through the various programs, innovations and reform measures instituted under the latter’s five-year term.

Cristobal, currently serving as an interim trade secretary pending the approval of his papers in the Commission on Appointments, said the department would be “forever grateful” for the kind of leadership demonstrated by Domingo, who he noted had “walked the talk.”

“And now, with all humility, I take all responsibility to lead our organization, to lead our family, to build on successes over the past years … With barely six months under the present administration and elections around the corner, some may think that the DTI will merely coast along and keep things afloat.

“Others may think that there’s too little time to try anything new, that it would be best to stick to what is there. Well, they would all be wrong because that’s not the DTI way. For us, there is no difference between an election year and an ordinary year. For us, to stand still is a sure way to fail. Every minute is an opportunity to innovate and improve,” Cristobal said.

Simplify processes

He said it was full speed ahead for the DTI. “We will build on what we had achieved and further modernize our agency by welcoming the best recruits, simplifying processes and embracing new technologies… Our organization must be designed to meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. We believe that it’s not only the economic numbers that count, but what’s more important is their impact on alleviating poverty,” he further said.

The new trade chief said that micro, small and medium enterprises would continue to be at the core of DTI’s measures.

The department will also continue to actively engage in trade promotions to entice investors; institute ease of doing business reforms; pursue preferential trade agreements; and protect consumer rights by promoting vigilance and quality consciousness among consumers, producers and traders.

“For DTI it’s not business as usual, but rather it is full speed ahead to 2016,” Cristobal said.

Domingo, for his part, expressed full confidence in the capability of Cristobal to lead the DTI, adding that he did not even have to leave any marching orders for the new trade chief.

“He knows all the priorities of the agency. That’s why the transition was easier. I don’t have marching orders for him. He’s his own man,” Domingo said of Cristobal.

Resignation after Apec

Domingo first submitted his resignation to President Aquino in September last year. He was, however, persuaded to put off his resignation after the conclusion of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) meetings, which culminated with the Leaders’ Meeting in November last year. He then extended his stay until the end of December.

Domingo said on Monday that his decision not to finish his last six months under the Aquino administration would allow him to go back to the private sector as early as January 2017. Government officials like him, he said, could not work for a year after they step down from office.

Cristobal first joined the DTI in 2001 as undersecretary in charge of the consumer welfare and trade regulation group. In 2005, he became the director general of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, serving a full term until 2009.

He then joined the Aquino administration in August 2010 as trade undersecretary for international trade. Following a reorganization in 2012, Cristobal was appointed trade undersecretary for industry development and trade policy, and concurrently served as managing head of the Board of Investments.

He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley, and his Juris Doctor of Laws at Ateneo de Manila University. He published papers on constitutional law, intellectual property law and governance.

Son of noted writer

The interim trade chief, who is a lawyer, columnist and law professor, is the son of the late Adrian E. Cristobal, a Palanca award-winning playwright, founder of the Unyon ng Mga Manunulat ng Pilipinas and columnist for the Inquirer in its early days.

In the martial law years, the elder Cristobal headed the speech writing office of the Office of the President. He was later appointed chair of the Social Security System and member of the Board of Regents of the University of the Philippines.