Aquino accepts resignation of Tolentino ‘effective immediately’

President Benigno Aquino III has received Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairperson Francis Tolentino’s resignation letter, Malacañang said Friday.

“MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino’s resignation has been formally accepted,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte told media on Friday.

Malacanang later released a letter, dated October 8 and signed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, referring to Tolentino’s October 6 resignation letter.

“Please be informed that His Excellency, President Benigno S. Aquino III, has approved your resignation effective immediately,” Ochoa said.

Tolentino was reportedly being considered for the ruling Liberal Party’s senate slate. However, he received flak for allegedly hiring a group of sexy dancers as a birthday gift to a Laguna lawmaker.

The MMDA official accepted responsibility for the incident and decided to withdraw from the LP’s senate slate. However, he alluded to running for higher office in 2016. Reports said he will still run for senator but not
under LP.

READ: Tolentino quits MMDA over Playgirls scandal, but won’t quit Senate race

Valte said in a press briefing that President Benigno Aquino III has yet to appoint Tolentino’s replacement although the Philippine Daily Inquirer earlier reported that his assistant general manager for operations, Emerson Carlos, has been assigned officer in charge. Carlos confirmed his appointment.

“I cannot commit that [the appointment of his replacement] will be before the filing because as you know there are discussions that are ongoing,” Valte said, explaining that it is important to choose the best person as
replacement.

“But that being said, the instructions of the President really is to continue the work of these agencies with the least possible downtime,” she added.

Asked why Aquino did not choose a replacement earlier since he knew Tolentino, as well as other Cabinet members, will be resigning to join the electoral race, Valte said, “You don’t fill up a post just because it’s
vacant. You fill up a post because it will benefit the agency. And that decision belongs to the President.”