(Eagle News) — Malacanang has assured that Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Manuel Roxas will resign as DILG head after he was endorsed by President Aquino on Friday as the administration’s standard-bearer for the 2016 presidential election.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in an interview over government radio that this is a “given” so Roxas would not be accused of using his position at the DILG to advance his candidacy.
“He will not stay in office para maakusahan siyang ginagamit ang kanyang posisyon. Certainly, he will not do that. It is a given that he will step down,” Valte told dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
Some lawmakers from the oppositions called on the resignation of Roxas following his endorsement by the President.
“Of course that is a given,” Valte said on Saturday.
Roxas is preparing for the leadership transition to ensure that his programs in the DILG will continue, she said.
Among the present programs in the DILG include the Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig Para sa Lahat (SALINTUBIG), Oplan Lambat Sibat of the Philippine National Police, as well as the release of patrol jeeps for the police in different municipalities.
“So tinutuloy naman po nila ang mga ito sa DILG, but si Secretary Roxas wants to make sure that the transition is smooth para walang ma-disrupt na service to the public.”
Valte said there are names being floated as Roxas’ successor at the DILG but there is still no confirmation yet, according to the Palace official.
Once there is somebody chosen to replace him, it will be announced to the public immediately, she said.