Duterte fires DOTr Asec Mark Tolentino

President Rodrigo Duterte has fired Transportation Assistant Secretary Mark Tolentino, Malacañang said on Monday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Tolentino was fired for approaching the President’s sister about a government project.

“The President has terminated the services of Assistant Secretary Mark Tolentino for having dealings with a Presidential relative, a sister,” Roque said in a Palace briefing.

“Ang kasalanan po ni Asec. Tolentino siya po ay nakipag-usap sa isang kamag-anak ng Presidente,” he added.

Duterte had repeatedly said government officials should not talk to him or his relatives to lobby for government projects.

“Ang order po ng Presidente sa lahat ng taong gobyerno, wag niyo pong kakausapin ang kahit sinong kamag-anak niya na meron pong gustong kahit anong kontrata o appointment sa gobyerno,” Roque said.

“Kapag kinausap ninyo po ang kahit na sinong kamag-aanak ng Presidente, basehan na po ‘yan para kayo ay sibakin,” he added.

The Palace official said the firing of Tolentino should serve as a warning to other government officials.

“Itong pagsibak po kay Asec. Mark Tolentino, magsilbing halimbawa po. Kapag sinabi ng Presidente na huwag niyong kausapin ang kamag-anak at kaibigan, huwag na huwag niyo pong kakausapin na,” he said.

Roque said “the reminder of the President is, no one in government should entertain any relative of the President in connection with any matter that has to do with government.” /vvp