Fil-Chinese biz group urges Pascual’s appointment as DTI chief
We urge legislators in the Commission on Appointment to expeditiously approve the appointment of Secretary Fred Pascual for the benefit of Philippine socio-economic progress.
The Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. has expressed support for Alfredo Pascual's appointment as Trade and Industry secretary by the influential Commission on Appointments.
"We the 170 Filipino Chinese chambers of commerce and other diverse trade associations nationwide under the Federation of the Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. fully support President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s appointment of the accomplished former University of the Philippines president, former development banker, finance expert and business community stalwart Alfredo "Fred" Pascual as the Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry," the Federation's statement said, signed by its president, Dr. Henry Lim Bon Liong,
Further, the Chinese federation of business owners maintained their trust in Pascual's "exemplary intellectual, professional, business, and moral qualifications" to lead the DTI in supporting globally competitive, innovative, sustainable, and inclusive Philippine economic growth.
"We urge legislators in the Commission on Appointment to expeditiously approve the appointment of Secretary Fred Pascual for the benefit of Philippine socio-economic progress," read the organization's statement.
Pascual's confirmation as Trade chief has been undecided at the CA due to the alleged fracas at the Philippine Economic Zone Authority.
On Thursday, Pascual, who currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of PEZA under Republic Act No. 7916 or the Special Economic Zone Act, said in a statement that he was not aware of the pending complaint of four PEZA employees against the PEZA Management until the night before his 6 December scheduled hearing before the CA when the CA Secretariat provided him with a copy of the complaint filed with the Commission.
"Yesterday, 7 December, Secretary Pascual, as PEZA Board Chair, asked PEZA OIC DG Panga to submit a written explanation on the complaint by PEZA employees. Further, the Secretary will conduct an inquiry into the complaint," the statement said.
On the other hand, Pascual said the assumption of PEZA OIC DG Panga was based on Memorandum Circular No. 1, s. 2022, issued by the Office of the President.
"The circular declared vacant several positions in the government and mandated that the next-in-rank and most senior official fill up the vacant position as OIC," it said.