Assistant MMDA GM replaces Tolentino

MANILA, Philippines - Emerson Carlos, assistant general manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, will replace Francis Tolentino as MMDA chief in an acting capacity.

Tolentino on Wednesday signed his resignation letter before a crowd of employees and officials at the agency’s headquarters in Makati City.

Tolentino, beleaguered over the Playgirls’ lewd show issue, said he is resigning to pursue his bid for the Senate in the elections next year.

However, it appears that Tolentino went on “vacation leave” days ago and designated Carlos as officer-in-charge, as shown by an office order he had signed.

In Office Order No. 213, Tolentino named Carlos as OIC effective Oct. 1, 2015.

“In the exigency and interest of the service and in view of the vacation leave filed by the undersigned, AGM Emerson S. Carlos, AGM for Operations, is hereby designated as Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of this Authority. This Order shall take effect on Oct. 1, 2015,” Tolentino’s order read. 

The order was also signed by Nelia Soriano, acting chief of the MMDA’s Records Division.

Tolentino could not be reached for comment yesterday but his publicist Ruth Cabal said the resigned MMDA chairman would not be making any immediate statements.

Carlos, for his part, appeared surprised at his designation as OIC of the MMDA. He said he was only informed by Tolentino on Wednesday after the announcement of his resignation.

Carlos added Malacañang has also yet to approve of Tolentino’s resignation as MMDA chairman.

As far as Malacañang is concerned, Tolentino signified his intention to leave the Cabinet almost a month ago to run for the Senate.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said he has no information yet on whether Tolentino’s resignation was effective immediately and who would likely replace him as MMDA chief.

Coloma said when Tolentino expressed his intention to resign, President Aquino told him to stay in his position until the filing of his certificate of candidacy.

A Cabinet official earlier disclosed Tolentino would be leaving by Oct. 16, or after the filing of his certificate of candidacy on Oct. 14 as mentioned by the former MMDA head’s chief of staff.

It is not clear now, however, what Tolentino is planning to do after the “twerking” incident apparently derailed his plans. – Aurea Calica, Non Alquitran