Petilla to Resign, Palace Rejects Resignation

While Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla is eyeing on his promised resignation, which the he had vowed earlier on the aftermath of super typhoon Yolanda to do, if the power in all areas devastated by the said typhoon will not be restored on Christmas Eve, Malacanang has no intention of accepting it so.

On rappler.com’s article, Lacierda said, Petilla will quit to keep his word that he will resign if all the towns in Yolanda-hit-areas are not energized.

“Whether or not President Aquino will accept is another matter,” Lacierda told Rappler.

Petilla explained about his resignation, that, he “will have no word of honor if” he “will stay on and in public service”, since for him “word of honor is extremely important”. However, he did not clarify if his resignation was irrevocable.

“I’m drafting my resignation letter now although I’m still monitoring the restoration (of power) in the three towns,” he said, adding he wanted to give the President enough time to find his replacement.

As of December 25, Petilla said only three towns out of the more than 300 towns that were badly affected by the super typhoon have yet to be energized. “I have three towns still without power.”

Last November 18, Petilla told reporters in Palo, Leyte, that, he will submit his resignation if he does not make it (restoration of power) by December 24.

“December 24 is indeed a tight target but as I’ve said if you give them something just to hold on to then maybe it will give them hope. They shouldn’t have a dark Christmas,” Petilla said. “The first sign of hope is always electricity. We will persevere to give them that.”

Full restoration was estimated to take up to six months from November 8, when the typhoon struck.

Source: abs-cbn.com, rappler.com

Image Credit: inquirer.net