PNoy: Energy chief Petilla, BuCor chief Bucayu offer to resign

After a massive power outage in Mindanao and with thin power reserves in Luzon, Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla has offered to resign, President Benigno Aquino III confirmed Tuesday.  

 

In an interview with reporters in Malaysia, Aquino also revealed that Bureau of Corrections chief Franklin Bucayu "has asked to be replaced."

 

In an interview with the media after the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Malaysia, Aquino said Petilla "wanted to devote a lot of time to the citizens of Leyte."

 

He added that Petilla, a former Leyte governor aligned with the ruling Liberal Party (LP) also wanted to take charge of a family-owned business process outsourcing entity.

 

"I do recognize (that) he and other members of the Cabinet also naman have a right to advance their own personal plans," Aquino said.

 

The President further said that he is already looking for Petilla's replacement.

 

"Secretary Petilla will not leave the job na hindi siya sure that it is in capable hands or that everything is already in place that has to be attended to as Secretary of Energy," Aquino said.

 

In 2013, Petilla also offered to quit his post after failing to meet his self-imposed deadline in restoring power in Yolanda-hit areas. Aquino, however, rejected Petilla's resignation.

 

BuCor chief quits post

 

In the same interview, Aquino also revealed that Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Franklin Bucayu "has asked to be replaced."

 

The President said Bucayu cited several "death threats" and "issues with his health" as his reasons for quitting the post.

 

Aquino further said that he has already interviewed someone who was interested in Bucayu's post.

 

"I said [to the interviewee], you know, pag-isipan mo nang mabuti ito. Hindi ‘yung pagpasok diyan maiisip mo marami kang kakampi," the President said. —RSJ/NB, GMA News