MANILA, Philippines—Light Rail Transit Authority Administrator Rafael Rodriguez has sent his resignation as he prepares for an elective post in his home province of Cavite in next year’s polls.
Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II on Monday confirmed Rodriguez’s resignation, which takes effect at the end of March.
“He came to see me last week and he expressed interest in a political future in Cavite,” Roxas told reporters at a weekly press conference.
Despite repeated attempts, the INQUIRER failed to reach Rodriguez for comment.
Rodriguez, a native of Kawit, Cavite, was appointed as head of the agency last year upon the recommendation of former DOTC Secretary Jose “Ping” de Jesus.
He has a background in the fields of Commerce and Law, having served as the Managing Partner of the Rodriguez de los Santos and Naidas Law Offices for more than 25 years. He has also served as the General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of various foreign and local corporations.
Prior to his appointment as LRTA head, Rodriguez was elected as provincial board member in the first district of Cavite. Among other achievements, he helped enact the Cavite Investment Incentives Act and Cavite Tax Reform Act. He was also the founding Chairman of the Cavite Cooperative Development Council.
He was the eighth administrator of the LRTA, having replaced Melquiades Robles.
In a separate statement, LRTA spokesman and corporate secretary said Rodriguez wanted to “concentrate on social responsibilities and advocacies” in his home province.
Meanwhile, Roxas noted that Rodriguez was currently one of the chief officers of the ruling Liberal Party’s Cavite Chapter, together with Erineo “Ayong” Maliksi. Roxas is the president of the said party, while President Aquino is its chairman.
Earlier this month, Rodriguez was involved in a controversy over his appointment of several “consultants” to newly created posts at the LRTA. Ruby Gonzales, LRTA resident ombudsman, said Rodriguez had already been asked to explain the reported employment of 36 consultants.