Bersamin: Marcos accepts resignations of DENR, DHSUD secretaries
Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga — PHOTO FROM THE OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE OF THE PH DENR
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. accepted the courtesy resignations of Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga and Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said on Friday.
The Department of Energy (DOE) is also expected to undergo a transition.
In a press conference, Bersamin said Yulo-Loyzaga would be replaced by Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla.
Meanwhile, DOE Undersecretary Sharon Garin is being considered to serve as officer-in-charge of the department.
Asked why Marcos let go of Yulo-Loyzaga, Bersamin said it was mainly due to her reported frequent travels abroad.
“There is no issue of corruption involving Secretary Loyzaga. Maybe there’s just a perception — I don’t know how fair or unfair — that she was often out of the country. That’s the recurring feedback we received. But let’s not judge whether that’s inefficiency or not. That’s not up to us,” he said.
Acuzar, on the other hand, will be replaced by former DHSUD Undersecretary Ramon “Ping” Aliling.
Bersamin said Acuzar would be reassigned as Presidential Adviser for the Pasig River Improvement, with the rank of secretary.
Jose Rizalino Acuzar (Joseph B. Vidal/Senate PRIB)
“As for Secretary Acuzar, you can’t say he was involved in corruption—there’s none. You also can’t say it was underperformance or underdelivery. He simply set very high standards for himself when he accepted the job,” he said.
Bersamin was referring to Acuzar’s promise of 1 million housing projects per year, which Bersamin said was beyond the control of the government.
Aliling used to be in charge of the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Housing for PH Program and the Pasig Bigyang Buhay Muli Project, so he is not new to DHSUD, Bersamin added.
INQUIRER.net sought a comment from the DENR and DHSUD but has yet to receive a response as of posting time./mcm
