In what is considered as the radical movement’s symbolic cutting of ties with President Rodrigo Duterte, National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) secretary Liza Maza, the last left-leaning Cabinet member, has

Maza was one of four so-called former Makabayan legislators who were issued warrants of arrest for a 14-year-old double murder case.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said nobody has forced Maza to resign, saying it was her “voluntary act” to leave the Duterte administration.

He thanked Maza for her “invaluable service” to the government for the past two years.

Maza said in a briefing that she had sent the resignation letter to the President, citing reasons of her stepping down from her post.

“My resignation is irrevocable. I have just submitted the letter,” Maza said.

Among the reasons she cited were the termination of peace talks as announced by the President, the possibility of more attacks against her and the return of the Marcoses and Arroyo to power.

“The biggest reason behind my resignation is the cancellation of President Duterte of the peace talks between the GRP (government of the republic of the Philippines) and the NDFP which he said last August 14,” said Maza.

“This extinguished my hopes that the talks would bear meaningful socio-economic and political reforms that would end widespread poverty and war in our country.”

In a separate interview, Maza said that the revived cases were part of political persecution and harassment, noting that she still have high hopes for the peace talks to push through.

Asked about what is her next move, Maza said: “I will continue to push for genuine agrarian reform, defend victims of illegal arrests and other victims of political harassment.”

The Nueva Ecija regional trial court last July 11 issued a warrant of arrest against the former legislators.

The case reached the High Tribunal after the respondents questioned the court’s decision.

Malacañang said it is not involved in issuing the arrest warrant against the leftists.

Maza, formerly the representative of Gabriela Party-list, was appointed to the advisory body tasked to craft poverty alleviation agenda and oversees the government’s social reform program in 2016.

She was nominated by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) after President Duterte offered four Cabinet posts as the government sought to broker a peace deal with leftist rebels.

While Malacañang expressed regret over Maza’s departure at the time when she enjoys the trust and confidence of President Rodrigo Duterte, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque on Monday said he wishes her “the best.”

“She had the trust and confidence of the President and she resigned. We always regret when people who enjoy the trust and confidence of the President leave their post,” Roque said in a Palace press briefing.

“I don’t know really why she had to connect the peace talks with her work in the NAPC,” Roque said.

Roque maintained that Duterte will only resume peace negotiations with the CPP if talks will be held in the Philippines and if the CPP’s armed wing, the New People’s Army, will stop collecting revolutionary taxes.

“In any case, contrary to what Liza Maza said, peace talks will continue but on a local level,” Roque explained.

Roque said Maza could have used NAPC as “perfect opportunity” for the Left to show that they can make a difference in public service.

“You’re right, it could have been a perfect opportunity for the Left to show that they can lead and NAPC is a very important office in the government,” Roque said.

He, however, commended Maza for addressing poverty in the country for last two years under her watch as NAPC chief.

“Well, in fairness to her, a survey showed that the Filipinos rated themselves to be less hungry and there are also programs although this one program was pursuant to a bill I filed in Congress, the feeding program which definitely would have a positive impact on poverty,” Roque said.