MANILA, Philippines?The president is resigning.

Sorry, not that president.

Jesus ?Jojie? Lloren sent an e-mail last week to the Fashion Design Council (FDCP) of the Philippines secretariat informing the council of his intention to quit as president and member of FDCP.

Lloren, who has been a member since 1999, was elected president in 2006. FDCP officers serve a three-year term.

Reached by the Inquirer Monday night, Lloren was emphatic in his denial that a conflict within the council prodded his decision.

?Wala, wala, wala! I can assure you of that,? he said. ?I just have so many things on my lap that it would be unfair for the FDCP if I couldn?t continue to do my tasks [as president].?

Lloren, who also teaches a weekly class at School of Fashion & the Arts in Makati, said committing to corporate shows as FDCP member has taken its toll on his output.

Making even as few as five dresses for each show, he explained, can affect the output of a designer?s workshop. ?My RTW line [for the Greenbelt 5 store Myth], I must admit, has not been doing well because I couldn?t meet my deliveries.?

On why he resigned as member, Lloren said: ?When you?re a member, you commit to do the group shows. You can say no, but it wouldn?t be fair to FDCP if I keep saying no.?

Randy Ortiz, a former president, said he was surprised at Lloren?s decision. Another member who requested anonymity confirmed that there?s no infighting in the council, though some members had voiced concern over the current state of the association.

?Walang away, but there were whispers that nothing was happening,? the source said.

FDCP pioneer PJ Arañador had also asked Lloren via e-mail to reconsider his decision, the same source said. Arañador suggested that setting up a plan and delegating tasks for the whole year, not resignation, is the solution.

Lloren said he has yet to send a formal letter to the council, but expects the matter to be resolved by end of March. Len Nepomucemo Guiao, who is vice president, would succeed him.

Lloren?s last project as president was a shortlist of young Filipino designers for the Japanese government, which will choose a Philippine representative to the Tokyo Fashion Week in October.

Lloren is set to take the mentoring role of Tim Gunn in the local version of the US reality TV show ?Project Runway,? airing later this year.