AGRICULTURE Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol has offered to resign and be transferred to the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), Senator-Elect Christopher Lawrence “Bong” T. Go said on Thursday.

In a media interview at the Palace, Mr. Go read out a letter he received from Mr. Piñol saying: “With the best interest of the Department of Agriculture and its stakeholders, may I request that I be relieved from my present position as Secretary of Agriculture and reassigned to whichever agency you believe I will be effective, including the Mindanao Development Authority or MinDA.”

As for Mr. Piñol’s reasons for his resignation, Mr. Go said: “Maybe marami na po siyang naririnig (he has heard many things against him) and maybe part of continuing assessment and evaluation ng iba’t ibang (of different) departments.”

He said Mr. Piñol has recommended three undersecretaries to run the Agriculture department “for the next 30 days.”

Mr. Go also said President Rodrigo R. Duterte still “trusts” Mr. Piñol.

Mr. Piñol was sought for comment but had yet to respond as of this posting. — Arjay L. Balinbin

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