Gov't companies chairman quits, first in Duterte's Cabinet

The head of the Governance Commission for Government-Owned and Controlled Coporations (GCG) has resigned from his position, the first resignation among members of President Rodrigo Duterte's Cabinet.

Jaime Ma. Flores has quit as GCG chairman effective October 24, the commission said in a statement.

“Atty. Jaime Ma. F. Flores II has resigned from his position as chairman of the Governance Commission for Government Owned or Controlled Corporations (GCG) effective on 24th of October 2016,” the statement read.

Flores took his oath of office before the President on August 1 at the Malacañang.

In a text message. Presidential Communications Office Secretary Martin Andanar also confirmed the GCG chair's resignation but declined to disclose the reason.

The commission also took note that it is still waiting for acceptance of Flores' resignation from the Office of the President.

“Nevertheless, despite the chairman’s resignation, the GCG will continue to function and perform its legal mandate as a collegial body,” it said.

“As an agency attached to the Office of the President, the GCG will abide by the directives to be later set out by the OP. We assure the transacting public that our services will not be hampered and we will continue to serve the Filipino People as always,” it added.

The RA 10149 or the GOCC Governance Act of 2011 created the GCG, which is attached to the Office of the President.

Its powers and functions includes the evaluation of the performance and determine the relevance of the GOCC, to ascertain whether such GOCC should be reorganized, merged, streamlined, abolished or privatized, in consultation with the department or agency to which a GOCC is attached.

Also under the said law, the GCG chair shall be appointed by the President with a rank of a Cabinet Secretary. — VVP, GMA News