Aquino names Tolentino’s assistant MMDA OIC

UNTIL President Aquino appoints a replacement for resigned Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chair Francis Tolentino, the assistant general manager for operations will be the MMDA officer in charge.

Emerson Carlos has confirmed his appointment as OIC, through a memorandum that Tolentino issued on Oct. 1.

But since there is still no formal acceptance yet of his resignation, Tolentino indicated in Office Order No. 213 that he had filed for vacation leave and in his absence, Carlos would act as temporary MMDA head.

Carlos said that he only received a copy of the memorandum on Wednesday, the same day that Tolentino resigned. He said he would take the OIC post only until Malacañang chooses a new MMDA chair.

“It is a big responsibility,” Carlos said, adding that he plans to continue Tolentino’s programs and focus on the preparations for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in November.

He said he had already met with PNP Director General Ricardo Marquez on the Apec preparations.

Carlos, who was interviewed after he attended the deliberations on the MMDA budget at the House of Representatives Thursday, said the agency’s P2-billion budget for general appropriations next year had been approved.

On Wednesday, Tolentino signed his resignation letter addressed to Mr. Aquino before about a thousand MMDA employees and media representatives.

He said that even as he asked that his name be removed from the Liberal Party list of candidates for senator, he was still planning to run for higher office.

It was not clear if Tolentino will run as an independent or join another political party. Maricar B. Brizuela