MANILA -- Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) chairman Tirso Cruz III has resigned from his post. 

This was confirmed to ABS-CBN News by FDCP's technical consultant Jose Javier Reyes, who said Cruz resigned due to personal reasons.

ABS-CBN News has reached out to some personnel of FDCP and they were also told that Cruz resigned due to personal reasons.

According to Reyes, rumors coming out about him taking over the chairmanship of FDCP are purely speculative.

"There is no credibility because the Palace has not appointed Pip's successor. Only the OIC has been approved by the board," he said. 

Rica Arevalo was appointed as the officer-in-charge while the agency waits for the appointment of the new chair from Malacañang.

The resignation of Cruz is effective March 1, 2024.