Jay Art Tugade (r) named as new chief of the the Land Transportation Office as he took his oath before Transport Sec. Jaime Bautista. | Photo from DOTr
MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) Monday announced the appointment of Jose Art “Jay Art” Tugade as the agency’s new chief.
This was stated by Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista in a statement, confirming that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. named Tugade as the new chief of LTO replacing Teofilo Guadiz III.
“I come here today to announce the appointment of Atty Jose Art ‘Jay Art’ Tugade as the new chief of the Land Transportation Office. While Atty. Tugade’s appointment was announced a few weeks ago, we have come to a conclusion that he is best suited for the very challenging job in the LTO,” said Bautista.
Bautista explained that he deemed Tugade “better suited” to LTO — especially amid “the many problems and controversies being faced by the agency — discussing how they will better serve the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
“We immediately asked the indulgence of the President and explained the gravity of the situation in the LTO and the importance of the work that has to be done as well as the willingness of Atty J Art to do it. In the end, the President understood the situation,” he said.
According to Bautista, Guadiz will then take on the position of Asst. Secretary for the Road Sector of the DOTr.
Jay Art is the youngest son of former Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade who served under former president Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.
It can also be recalled that Marcos recently appointed him as the acting general manager of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA).
The DOTr, meanwhile, has yet to release information on who will replace him in the MIAA position.