DOTC’s Alvarez resigns

Tired of what he called an "insidious smear campaign" against him by his political enemies, Pantaleon Alvarez Jr. threw in the towel and resigned as secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

"The yearlong confirmation process was a hellish experience for me and my family," Alvarez said in a statement yesterday.

President Arroyo accepted his resignation, submitted last Tuesday, and appointed as his replacement Director General Leandro Mendoza, who was set to retire in September as Philippine National Police chief.

As the President had earlier announced, the top PNP post will go to Deputy Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., whom Mendoza described as a "very professional officer."

"He will have no problem in managing the PNP," Mendoza said.

Alvarez said his detractors "bent all rules of fair play and civility" and "unleashed all kinds of lies, distortions and half-truths and misrepresentations" to destroy his reputation.

Presidential Spokesman Silvestre Afable said Mrs. Arroyo gave no indication if she would appoint Alvarez to another post that would attract less controversy.

The bicameral Commission on Appointments refused to confirm Alvarez’s appointment because of allegations of bias in the awarding of a multimillion-dollar government contract to build a new terminal for the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

He was accused of "conflict of interest" because a firm owned by his family, Wintrack Builders, is a subcontractor of Philippine International Air Terminal Corp. (Piatco), the company to which the government contract was awarded.

Alvarez said he divested his interests in his family’s business when he joined the Arroyo administration.

"By my sacrifice, I hope the sinister machinations of my detractors would finally end so that we could all focus on the task at hand the country can move forward," Alvarez said.

In his statement, Alvarez said he "could have chosen to fight back" at his detractors because of his "fresh mandate from the President." "But I have decided to leave so the national interest could advance," he said.

Mendoza’s appointment immediately drew flak.

Rep. Aniceto Saludo (Lakas, Leyte), the deputy of the House of Representatives’ contingent to the CA, criticized Mendoza’s appointment. He said Mendoza is the "wrong man for such a critical job" and doubted that he could hurdle the CA.

"He has nothing to show in terms of credentials, training and experience as far as aviation, telecommunications, information technology, shipping, etc. are concerned," Saludo said in a statement.

Saludo and another congressman, Rep. Jacinto Paras (Lakas, Negros Oriental) also criticized Mendoza’s performance as PNP chief.

"If, as PNP chief, he failed to make a creditable performance in fighting jueteng and other illegal gambling activities, and, of course, criminality, I don’t think he will do better as DOTC secretary," Paras said.

Paras said Mrs. Arroyo may be reciprocating the military’s support for her administration by appointing Mendoza.

Leftist groups said Mendoza’s appointment might be the beginning of a "militarization" of the bureaucracy. They expect more military and police generals to be appointed to government posts.

Since she assumed office in January 2001 after her predecessor, Joseph Estrada, was ousted in a military-backed popular protest, Mrs. Arroyo had been riding on the backs of military generals as rumors of political instability hounded her.

Even a few DOTC employees expressed reservations on Mendoza’s appointment.

"We prefer a civilian. Police mentality might have rubbed off on General Mendoza and he might not be able to run the DOTC properly. He might militarize the department," one employee said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

At a press conference, Mendoza said he’s looking forward to joining the President’s Cabinet and serve in a civilian capacity. He said he was "humbled by the continuing trust and confidence" of Mrs. Arroyo.

"I never dreamed of becoming a Cabinet secretary. I was really content and very fulfilled in having been appointed as chief of the PNP," Mendoza said.

Mendoza said he sees no problems with the CA. He is banking on his track record and his untainted reputation as a law enforcement officer for the past 38 years to help him get congressional approval.

While admitting he has no idea of what to expect at the DOTC, he said he will address some conflicts and issues concerning law enforcement procedures. "I think I will have to address this initially," he said.

Afable said Mendoza might not serve the remainder of his extended term to assume the DOTC post. His term as PNP chief was extended for six months up to September when he reached the mandatory retirement age of 56 in March.

PNP sources said Mrs. Arroyo wanted Mendoza to assume his new post immediately but he begged off and asked to bow out of the PNP on July 3 to pave the way for a transition period.

Afable also defended Mendoza’s appointment, saying "he has shown his skills as a manager" in running the nation’s police force.

"There are other things that are in the course of his accomplishments as PNP chief that has figured greatly in the President’s decision [to appoint him]," he said.

Caught by surprise

Alvarez tendered his "irrevocable resignation," effective June 10, five days after President Arroyo reappointed him despite being bypassed for the seventh time.

He said potential investors had "put off their plans" because of the "protracted hearings" on his confirmation. "Precious time was wasted confronting the black propaganda of the vested interests that wanted me out," he said.

Transportation Undersecretary for Rails and Mass Transit Willie Trinidad said Alverez’s resignation caught them by surprise. "He gave no hint that he was leaving. We are at a loss (as to) when his replacement will formally take over," he said.

Senators Manuel Villar Jr. and Juan Flavier said resigning was the proper thing to do. Flavier said Alvarez would only become a lame duck if he had continued to hang on.

However, Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr. said the former Davao del Norte congressman’s resignation was a big loss for Mindanao. "We from Mindanao were hoping that his replacement would come from Mindanao," he said.

Ground service providers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, who opposed Alvarez’s appointment, lauded Alvarez’s decision to resign, saying it would "save President from further embarrassment."

In a statement, the MIA-NAIA Association of Service Operators (MASO), which questioned the Piatco deal, also urged the government to rescind the contract.

They said the contract would give Piatco a monopoly of providing service at the new terminal and eventually hurt the country’s tourism industry.

"Now is the proper time for the government to do the right thing by first revoking the contract before negotiating for better terms, if we really want to save the NAIA terminal 3 project and the millions of dollars used to build the facility," Perfecto Yasay, MASO chairman, said in a statement. — With Jess Diaz, Mayen Jaymalin, Paolo Romero, Aurea Calica, Delon Porcalla, AFP