Tugade rejects calls for resignation amid MRT woes

MANILA, Philippines — No one but President Rodrigo Duterte can ask him to do so.

Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade on Monday rejected calls for his resignation amid the MRT-3 mess.

“Only the president can ask me to resign. Hindi lahat ng problema ina-address ‘yung resignation,” Tugade said in an interview with reporters after the 116^th anniversary of the Philippine Coast Guard.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque backed Tugade, saying there is no need to fire the transport chief despite calls for his removal from office.

“He enjoys the full trust of the president,” Roque said during the press briefing at Malacañang on Monday.

Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano demanded Tugade to step down from his post amid the persistent problems that plague the busiest train system in Metro Manila which have remained unsolved since he assumed office.

“With his dismal performance, he should consider quitting. Otherwise, we might continue to experience what we have going through right now—the MRT-3 fiasco and traffic mess,” Alejano said.

He added that the DOTr should stop the blame game and take responsibility for the mistakes of the previous administration.

“The responsibility of finding solutions to the problem falls squarely on the DOTr and its leadership. It has been over a year since the Duterte administration took over,” Alejano said.

DOTr recently took over the service and maintenance of the MRT-3 after terminating the contract of Busan Universal Rail Inc. for its poor performance

The department has been heavily criticized after the detachment of a coach from a train and the accident that severed a passenger’s arm at the Ayala Station in Makati City. Technical glitches also hound the MRT-3 which ferries half a million commuters daily.

Transport officials said the public should expect better services in three to six months.  

Last year, there were also calls for Tugade to resign over his alleged connection with Chinese gambling tycoon Jack Lam.  

READ: Poe tells DOTr: Focus on overall safety of MRT