Philloughby Explains His Departure from NEMO and his Ambitions for Port Loyola

Philip Willoughby

Former councilor Philip Willoughby is one of four U.D.P. candidates contesting a November convention in Port Loyola to become the party’s standard bearer.  The four-way political race has taken some twists and turns, particularly for Willoughby who threw his hat in the ring after losing his seat at City Hall during municipal elections on March seventh.  In the wake of that crushing defeat, Willoughby was named Operations Officer for the National Emergency Management Organization, NEMO.  A week and a half ago, he resigned giving notice of his exit in October. But Willoughby has chosen to expedite his departure from the ministry in favor of his political ambitions.  On Monday, he wrote to Chief Executive Officer Ruth Meighan informing that his resignation goes into effect immediately.  According to the seasoned politician, his interest in representing the people of Port Loyola is priority number one.

Philip Willoughby, UDP Candidate, Port Loyola

“The people are waiting to engage and I am confident and I am really glad that I took the step to aspire and I have demonstrated that by resigning my post at NEMO to show them the dedication and commitment that I am willing to give to them and support them every step of the way, and being beside them, along with them.”

Isani Cayetano

“Now your resignation as one of the point persons at NEMO didn’t come by as easily as you’re making it seem.  There was reference back to a particular piece of legislation that would have prohibited public officers or perhaps even contract officer from offering themselves for candidacy, and if I’m not mistaken, yours came with a little bit of controversy in the manner in which you left that post.  Speak to us about your resignation in that particular context.”

Philip Willoughby

“Within the contract it states that I would have needed to give my employer, the Ministry of National Emergency, three months notice prior to resigning after I have served beyond three months.  Providing [that] that was not the case, I would have had to pay the ministry one month’s pay in advance, so hence the reason the first or original letter was structured in that manner, to abide with the contract in the context of the law, how I should have responded and based on the advice that I had gotten.  The thing is, now my resignation is effectively immediately under the circumstances that I cannot do both.  I have opted to say that I am willing to continue to aspire to represent the people of Port Loyola constituency, so I have complied with such and I have done such.  No hard feelings, I am not disappointed the least bit.”