By J. Jala | 09:40 PM April 17, 2020
President Rodrigo Duterte has accepted the resignation of Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia, Malacañang announced Friday.
Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua has been named the acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary following the sudden resignation of Pernia.
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said President Rodrigo Duterte accepted Pernia’s resignation and named Chua as his replacement. Pernia was a member of the inter-agency task force crafting policies to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pernia resigned on Friday due to personal reasons as well as “differences in development philosophy with a few of my fellow Cabinet members.”
“After reflection during Holy Week, and consultations with my family and close colleagues, I have decided to resign from my post as Secretary of Socioeconomic Planning,” Pernia said in a statement.
Pernia, seasoned economist and professor, was appointed as NEDA chief in July 2016 when President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office.
Pernia has been included in the inter-agency task force crafting policies to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
