Aquino to meet Petilla over resignation—Palace official

Politics, Benigno Aquino III and Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III will meet with Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla later on Thursday to discuss his resignation, a Palace official said.

“According to a text message I received from Secretary Petilla this morning, he is flying into Manila from out of town to be able to meet with the President sometime this afternoon,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said in a televised press conference.

Petilla on Christmas Day said he would push through with his resignation after failing to restore electricity in all areas devastated by Supertyphoon “Yolanda.”

The former governor of Leyte promised typhoon survivors that the Department of Energy would restore power before Christmas.

Reports said Aquino was not likely to accept Petilla’s resignation.

Coloma said he was not in a position to speculate on what the President’s decision would be. However, in a separate television interview, the secretary said he believed Petilla would be asked to continue his work.

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