BIZ BUZZ: BFF mum on Tiu Laurel fate
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. may count President Marcos as one of his close friends, but there are just some things that he just can’t ask.
Thus, amid the ongoing overhaul of the executive branch, his fate as chief of the sprawling Department of Agriculture (DA) still hangs in the balance.
“Well, actually, nakakahiya ko naman tanungin sa kanya kung mapanatili ba ako o hindi (it would be embarrassing to ask him whether he would keep me or not at his Cabinet). I’m not that type of person,” Tiu Laurel said on Thursday.
As for Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona, he said he has submitted his courtesy resignation after the heads of government-owned and controlled corporations were ordered to do so.
Tiu Laurel and Azcona are waiting to hear from the office of President Marcos as of writing, on whether they are staying or going.
Is Tiu Laurel optimistic about being retained as the DA chief? He said the decision lies entirely with the President.
“As I said, there are more headaches and exhaustion… but if I’m not retained, I go back to my old life and enjoy my life. My life before was also good. It’s a win-win for me, and I am also happy being the secretary of agriculture. I am challenged, that’s one thing. That’s very challenging. Anyway, I am happy,” he said.
As we speak, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin has announced further changes in the Cabinet, but no decision has been made on the courtesy resignations of Tiu Laurel and Azcona.
Well, we’ll just have to wait for the next press briefing of Bersamin and maybe, just maybe, there will be news by then.
