Palace defends MMDA chief, rejects resignation calls

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang on Monday rejected calls for the resignation of Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chair Francis Tolentino.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said President Benigno Aquino III still trusts Tolentino despite the criticisms hurled at him.

"Patuloy ang tiwala at kumpiyansa ni Pangulong Aquino kay MMDA Chairman Tolentino sa kanyang pagganap ng tungkulin," Coloma said in a press briefing.

"Sa nakalipas na limang taon, ipinakita ni Chairman Tolentino ang isang hands-on, can-do management style nang agarang pagtugon sa pangangailangan ng mga mamamayan," he added.

Coloma refuted claims that Aquino no longer trusts Tolentino that's why the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) has taken over the traffic management on EDSA, replacing the MMDA.

"Ibig lang po naming bigyang-diin na si Chairman Tolentino mismo ang nagpanukala ng paghalili ng PNP-HPG bilang lead agency sa traffic law enforcement," the Palace official said.

The communications secretary said Tolentino performed well as MMDA chief, particularly in times of typhoons and floods. He also cited the metro-wide earthquake drill led recently by the agency.

Coloma also said that Tolentino and the MMDA helped in maintaining public order during the visit of Pope Francis in January and in the preparations for the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in November.

Tolentino, a senatorial aspirant, has been criticized for supposedly failing to address the worsening traffic condition in Metro Manila and for engaging in early campaigning by visiting provinces.

Malacañang again defended the MMDA chief, saying his recent activities were part of his official duties.

"Ang pagpunta ni Chairman Tolentino sa ibang lalawigan ay bahagi ng kanyang official functions upang ipaliwanag ang kanyang nalalaman at karanasan sa disaster preparedness bilang taga-pangulo ng NCR Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council," Coloma said.

Coloma also dismissed claims that Tolentino is using government resources to boost his candidacy.

"Siya po ay government official pa rin at ginagamit niya 'yung lehitimong resources ng kanyang tanggapan para sa isang lehitimong official function," he said.