TRANSPORTATION Undersecretary for Rails Cesar Chavez yesterday tendered his irrevocable resignation, citing “delicadeza” following the foul-ups at the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) system.
“Simple delicadeza which I have adhered to throughout my professional life gives me no choice but to resign from my said position,” Chavez said in his resignation letter to President Duterte dated Nov. 23.
Last week, a coach detached from a train between Buendia and Ayala stations in Makati City forcing commuters to walk on the tracks. A female passenger also lost her right arm when she szx caught in the train coupler at the Ayala Station.
Chavez had earlier vowed to improve the operations of the MRT-3 following the expulsion of the train line’s maintenance provider BURI for its alleged “anomalous” and “poor” performance.
Chavez told the President he hopes that his resignation will lead to the “appointment of a person better qualified to perform the duties and responsibilities of the subject office.”
“I am honored and privileged to have been given the trust and confidence for the subject position and I hope that problems plaguing the MRT system be resolved properly and with dispatch,” he added.
Chavez said his resignation is “effective immediately.”
In a press briefing in Quezon City, Chavez told reporters it was his personal decision to step down and no one forced him to do it.
He apologized anew to the public for the service interruptions they recently experienced on the MRT system.
“We can’t keep on blaming the past. This is our responsibility now. I believe it is my responsibility as undersecretary for railways,” he said.
“We took the heat for the uncoupling of the train cars and we were judged by the commuters and it was just right. We take responsibility for any inconvenience... Mr. President, you are correct. There should be no excuses,” he added.
Chavez said the recent problems on the MRT system also stemmed from the previous administration’s entering into opposing agreements and limiting the term of maintenance contracts to six months that prevented the contractor from buying “spares.”
“For the last five years, six-month contracts. How can they buy spare parts? Opposing contracts were also entered into. Therefore, unimplementable, cannot be implemented,” he noted.
“This is not pinpointing, but only a narration of the truth on why we got to this point,” he added.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said he was “surprised” by the resignation of Chavez because they had been drawing plans and strategies.
In a text message to reporters, Tugade also denied that he ordered Chavez to quit.
“For the record, and contrary to the insinuations of others, I did not cause or ask Usec Cesar Chavez to resign. He has my full trust and confidence,” he said.
Sen. Grace Poe, chairman of the Senate committee on public services, said there must be something more to Chavez’ resignation than delicadeza.
“I admire his sense of delicadeza although I doubt that that is the only reason that prompted him to resign,” Poe said in a statement.
Poe’s panel has been conducting hearings on anomalous deals with the MRT and the almost daily glitches that affected hundreds of thousands of commuters.
Poe said Chavez was one of the DOTr officials who were determined to fully address all the issues plaguing the MRT.
“I recall he was instrumental in unearthing the persons involved in anomalies that caused these issues,” she said.
Sens. JV Ejercito and Sherwin Gatchalian said Chavez was very passionate in improving the services of the MRT.
Ejercito said he expects delays and more problems in the railway system because of the vacuum left by Chavez.
Gatchalian said Chavez has been upfront and straightforward with the problems besetting the railway system.
“DOTr urgently needs a good communicator to explain to us, the public about their plans and solutions to improve the traffic situation of the country,” he said.
Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri said the new rail czar has to fill the “big shoes of Cesar (Chavez).”
Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III said he was surprised by the resignation of Chavez, adding that the former transport official must have been “frustrated.”
Congressmen said Chavez was a big loss for the DOTR and Tugade.
“Good luck to Sec. Arthur Tugade. He lost a good man. Now all the rail problems will rest on his shoulders,” said Rep. Jericho Nograles (PL, PBA).
Rep. Rodel Batocabe (PL, Ako Bicol) said Chavez is “one of the most hardworking Usecs in the bureaucracy.”
“Perhaps hard work is not enough to address the gargantuan problems of our rail system but then, it is a courageous and honorable act on the part of Usec Chavez to resign rather than be besmirched and dragged in the controversy hounding our rail system,” he said.
Rep. Tom Villarin (PL, Akbayan) said: “The MRT-3 mess is a collective problem that goes all the way up to Malacañang. It was a campaign promise to be solved in the short run just like the campaign against illegal drugs. To appease the public, someone’s head had to be in the chopping block. Usec Chavez’ good intentions can’t hide a government that is leading us nowhere.” – Angela Lopez de Leon, JP Lopez and Wendell Vigilia
“Simple delicadeza which I have adhered to throughout my professional life gives me no choice but to resign from my said position,” Chavez said in his resignation letter to President Duterte dated Nov. 23.
Last week, a coach detached from a train between Buendia and Ayala stations in Makati City forcing commuters to walk on the tracks. A female passenger also lost her right arm when she szx caught in the train coupler at the Ayala Station.
Chavez had earlier vowed to improve the operations of the MRT-3 following the expulsion of the train line’s maintenance provider BURI for its alleged “anomalous” and “poor” performance.
Chavez told the President he hopes that his resignation will lead to the “appointment of a person better qualified to perform the duties and responsibilities of the subject office.”
“I am honored and privileged to have been given the trust and confidence for the subject position and I hope that problems plaguing the MRT system be resolved properly and with dispatch,” he added.
Chavez said his resignation is “effective immediately.”
In a press briefing in Quezon City, Chavez told reporters it was his personal decision to step down and no one forced him to do it.
He apologized anew to the public for the service interruptions they recently experienced on the MRT system.
“We can’t keep on blaming the past. This is our responsibility now. I believe it is my responsibility as undersecretary for railways,” he said.
“We took the heat for the uncoupling of the train cars and we were judged by the commuters and it was just right. We take responsibility for any inconvenience... Mr. President, you are correct. There should be no excuses,” he added.
Chavez said the recent problems on the MRT system also stemmed from the previous administration’s entering into opposing agreements and limiting the term of maintenance contracts to six months that prevented the contractor from buying “spares.”
“For the last five years, six-month contracts. How can they buy spare parts? Opposing contracts were also entered into. Therefore, unimplementable, cannot be implemented,” he noted.
“This is not pinpointing, but only a narration of the truth on why we got to this point,” he added.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said he was “surprised” by the resignation of Chavez because they had been drawing plans and strategies.
In a text message to reporters, Tugade also denied that he ordered Chavez to quit.
“For the record, and contrary to the insinuations of others, I did not cause or ask Usec Cesar Chavez to resign. He has my full trust and confidence,” he said.
Sen. Grace Poe, chairman of the Senate committee on public services, said there must be something more to Chavez’ resignation than delicadeza.
“I admire his sense of delicadeza although I doubt that that is the only reason that prompted him to resign,” Poe said in a statement.
Poe’s panel has been conducting hearings on anomalous deals with the MRT and the almost daily glitches that affected hundreds of thousands of commuters.
Poe said Chavez was one of the DOTr officials who were determined to fully address all the issues plaguing the MRT.
“I recall he was instrumental in unearthing the persons involved in anomalies that caused these issues,” she said.
Sens. JV Ejercito and Sherwin Gatchalian said Chavez was very passionate in improving the services of the MRT.
Ejercito said he expects delays and more problems in the railway system because of the vacuum left by Chavez.
Gatchalian said Chavez has been upfront and straightforward with the problems besetting the railway system.
“DOTr urgently needs a good communicator to explain to us, the public about their plans and solutions to improve the traffic situation of the country,” he said.
Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri said the new rail czar has to fill the “big shoes of Cesar (Chavez).”
Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III said he was surprised by the resignation of Chavez, adding that the former transport official must have been “frustrated.”
Congressmen said Chavez was a big loss for the DOTR and Tugade.
“Good luck to Sec. Arthur Tugade. He lost a good man. Now all the rail problems will rest on his shoulders,” said Rep. Jericho Nograles (PL, PBA).
Rep. Rodel Batocabe (PL, Ako Bicol) said Chavez is “one of the most hardworking Usecs in the bureaucracy.”
“Perhaps hard work is not enough to address the gargantuan problems of our rail system but then, it is a courageous and honorable act on the part of Usec Chavez to resign rather than be besmirched and dragged in the controversy hounding our rail system,” he said.
Rep. Tom Villarin (PL, Akbayan) said: “The MRT-3 mess is a collective problem that goes all the way up to Malacañang. It was a campaign promise to be solved in the short run just like the campaign against illegal drugs. To appease the public, someone’s head had to be in the chopping block. Usec Chavez’ good intentions can’t hide a government that is leading us nowhere.” – Angela Lopez de Leon, JP Lopez and Wendell Vigilia
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