Palace rejects resign calls for Customs, MMDA chiefs

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang rejected on Wednesday the calls for the resignation of Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chair Francis Tolentino.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the two embattled officials are striving to carry out their responsibilities in the most competent way.

"Sa pagganap ng tungkulin, hindi lahat ng kanilang pinapahayag ay sinasangayunan ng mga naaapektuhan o maaaring maapektuhan ng kanilang mga desisyon o aksyon," Coloma said in an e-mail to reporters.

"Hindi naman makatuwiran na tuwing may hindi pagsangayon, hihilingin kaagad ang pagbibitiw ng mga opisyal na tulad nila," he added.

Coloma said Lina and Tolentino still enjoy the trust and confidence of President Aquino.

"Sa aking pagkabatid, patuloy na nagtitiwala ang pangulo sa kakayahan nilang dalawa," Coloma said.

Lina and the Bureau of Customs recently drew flak after implementing stricter regulations on overseas Filipino workers' balikbayan boxes.

The agency argued that it was only implementing the law and stepping up its efforts against smuggling.

Tolentino, meanwhile, continues to receive criticism for failing to address the traffic mess in Metro Manila. He was also criticized for joining Aquino and Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas in a Liberal Party event in Cebu on Monday.

During the "gathering of friends" in the Cebu Coliseum, Tolentino delivered a brief speech to introduce himself to the crowd, a move seen by some as early campaigning for the 2016 elections.

Aquino himself revealed in Cebu that Tolentino will seek an elective post next year.

The Palace tried to justify Tolentino's presence in Cebu.

"Mayroon pong konsepto diyan, 'yung konsepto ng alter ego of the president. Lahat naman po kami ay naglilingkod para sa pangulo, at kapag mayroong official functions ang pangulo, makatuwiran na naroroon din ang mga miyembro ng Gabinete para maging saksi sa kanyang mga official action at para makapag-render din ng suporta," Coloma said in a press briefing on Tuesday.