Arroyo names Neri as next SSS president - report
MANILA, Philippines - President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has reportedly named Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chairman Romulo Neri as the new president of the Social Security System, replacing Corazon dela Paz.
Radio dzBB's Aileen Intia reported that Deputy Presidential Spokeswoman Lorelei Fajardo disclosed the Palace was to make the announcement formal later in the afternoon.
But Fajardo did not make clear if Neri will hold on to his post as CHED chairman, or if the Palace had found a replacement for him.
The appointment of Neri to the SSS portfolio ended weeks of speculation that he would be "transferred" to the SSS.
Before heading the CHED, Neri - who is considered a key witness in the controversial national broadband network deal between the Philippines and China - was the director general of the National Economic Development Authority.
But Deputy Presidential Spokesman Anthony Golez declined to confirm Neri's appointment as the new SSS president, saying Executive Sec. Eduardo Ermita was to make a formal announcement on Dela Paz's replacement Wednesday afternoon.
"Actually, that (replacement) will be formally announced by Sec. Ermita at 1:30 p.m. Until that time, I will not talk about it," Golez told GMANews.TV in a telephone interview.
Earlier in the day, Dela Paz confirmed she has submitted her resignation letter to Malacañang, citing health reasons, old age and her desire to go back to the private sector as reasons behind her decision to leave the agency.
Aside from the reasons she stated, the SSS president would not give any other information as to what really pushed her to vacate her seat. “Sa akin na lang iyon sa ngayon," she said.
Dela Paz said that in the letter she sent to Malacañang, she requested that her resignation be made effective by July 31. Dela Paz, however, confirmed receiving text messages saying that her resignation could be approved as early as July 15. - GMANews