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Department of Trade Industry Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual (left) greets Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos (right), as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. looks on, at the launching of the Green Lanes for Strategic Investments held at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza grand ballroom in Pasay City on July 13, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

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MARCOS-BUSINESS

Joyce Balancio

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/172249026284020240801060820_ed70e2b8713813858fb19945542085e3e26cab946a554d91778da8616c381c75.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Department of Trade Industry Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual (left) greets Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos (right), as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. looks on, at the launching of the Green Lanes for Strategic Investments held at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza grand ballroom in Pasay City on July 13, 2023. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><div><span dir="ltr" id="isPasted"></span></div><div style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:0px"><br/></div><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:0px">MANILA <strong>(UPDATE)</strong> — Outgoing Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said he was giving President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. a free hand to choose the next chief of the Department of Trade and Industry.</p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:0px">During the signing of a memorandum with the Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday, Pascual said there was no need to recommend names for his successor. </p><div style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:0px"><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/7/31/dti-chief-alfredo-pascual-resigns-palace-1628" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" title="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/7/31/dti-chief-alfredo-pascual-resigns-palace-1628">DTI chief Alfredo Pascual resigns: Palace </a></div><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:0px">“I don’t want to preempt the prerogative of the President to decide. Alam naman niya eh. We are always in touch. He knows what we are doing and what this department needs,” he said in an interview with ABS-CBN News.   </p><div style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:0px"> </div><div style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:0px"><strong>RUSHED?</strong></div><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:0px">Pascual, a seasoned banker and former UP president, tendered his resignation from his post effective on August 2 to return to the private sector.</p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:0px">When asked if there was a particular event that prompted him to leave the cabinet, he said: “Any trigger? Wala naman specific trigger.” </p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:0px">“It’s always there, you know, the choice between serving government and sacrificing a lot, especially time.” </p><div style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:0px"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEqWP2cclnY" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" title="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeqwp2cclny">DTI Chief Fred Pascual quits Marcos cabinet to return to private sector </a></div><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:0px">He said his resignation needed to be “immediate” since his replacement&#x27;s had to take actions that have long-term implications.</p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:0px">Pascual said he was eyeing a smooth transition in the leadership of DTI.</p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:0px">“We will leave with him or her, whoever it is, a summary of the things we have done and the things that continue to require attention for the Secretary of DTI,” he said.</p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:0px">Things that need the next DTI chief&#x27;s attention include updates on the country’s free trade agreements with other nations and the continuation of programs for micro, small and medium enterprises and initiatives for consumer protection.</p><div style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:0px"> </div><div style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:0px"><strong>SUCCESSOR</strong> </div><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:0px">Pascual meanwhile commented on the possibility that Presidential Adviser Frederick Go would succeed him. </p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:0px">“Well, he is a potential. Ka-work ko naman si Secretary Go, in what we are doing,” he answered. </p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:0px">Sen. Grace Poe said she was open to succeed Pascual following rumors she was in talks for the post.</p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:0px">&quot;Sa anumang paraan ako makakatulong ay pribelehiyo, pero nais kong tutukan ang trabaho ko sa Senado,&quot; Poe told Senate reporters.</p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:0px">However, Poe denied she was approached to vie for the Cabinet position.</p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:0px">&quot;Hindi totoo na ako ay kinausap ukol dito,&quot; Poe said.</p><div style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:0px"><br/></div><div style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:0px"><strong>—With a report from RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News</strong></div><div style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:0px"><br/></div><div></div><div style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:8.0pt;margin-left:0cm;line-height:107%"><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:8.0pt;margin-left:0cm;line-height:107%"><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YEqWP2cclnY?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Outgoing Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said he is giving President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. a free hand to choose the next chief of the Department of Trade and Industry.</p>

Outgoing Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said he is giving President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. a free hand to choose the next chief of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Outgoing DTI chief Pascual says Marcos free to name successor

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Outgoing DTI chief Pascual says Marcos free to name successor

Joyce Balancio,

ABS-CBN News

Published Aug 01, 2024 01:31 PM PHT

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Updated Aug 01, 2024 02:46 PM PHT

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DTI

Alfredo Pascual

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