LTFRB chief files courtesy resignation

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chair Nelson Laluces has filed his “courtesy” resignation to give newly appointed Transportation Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II a free hand to appoint his own team.

LTFRB Board Member Manuel Iway said Laluces turned in his resignation last week, but the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) said it received the document only on Tuesday.

“The gesture of Mr. Laluces is proof that the current crop of presidential appointees have nothing but pure service in mind. We can only admire his values and his work ethic,” Roxas said in a statement on Tuesday.

“It is worth noting that Mr. Laluces and all other heads of line agencies and attached agencies—myself included—work at the pleasure of the President,” he added.

Laluces’ resignation comes amid an ongoing review of the positions of DOTC attached agency heads, who were either appointed or reappointed to their posts at the recommendation of Roxas’ predecessor, Jose “Ping” de Jesus.

Earlier, four DoTC undersecretaries brought in by De Jesus also quit their posts after the latter resigned.

Performance evaluation

Roxas, a former senator and President Aquino’s defeated running mate, earlier said all agency heads would be evaluated based on their performance.

He said Laluces would “continue to head and manage the operations of the LTFRB to ensure the continuous services of the agency” until his replacement is found. “I thank (Laluces) for his graciousness,” Roxas said.

Laluces could not be reached for comment.