Aquino accepts PCSO chief's resignation

MANILA, Philippines — President Benigno Aquino III has accepted the resignation of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office chairwoman Margarita Juico, Malacañang said on Friday.

In a statement shown on television reports, Presidential Communication Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. said thr President thanked Juico for her "dedicated service to the government and the Filipino people."

"As an esteemed family friend, President Aquino wishes her well on her decision to end her stint in public service," Coloma said.

He added that the effectivity of Juico's resignation is upon formal written acceptance by the President in accordance with established procedures.

Coloma did not state the reason for Juico's resignation.

According to an earlier report by the STAR, Juico, 65, tendered her resignation on Thursday citing her age and a need to rest.

"I have reached retirement age. I have served over two decades. Pahinga na muna (Rest first)," she told the STAR.

Read: Juico quits PCSO

Juico was the appointments secretary of the late President Corazon Aquino throughout her presidency and was her assistant until her death. She was a PCSO board member under the succeeding administrations.

In the STAR report, Juico denied that she was asked by Malacañang to step down because she lost the evidence on the PCSO plunder case against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. -Louis Bacani