Transport exec quits over MRT mess

TRANSPORTATION Undersecretary for Railways Cesar Chavez tendered his irrevocable resignation Thursday, November 23, citing "simple sense of delicadeza" in the light of the problems plaguing the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3 in Metro Manila. He expressed hope that the MRT 3 problems would "be resolved properly and with dispatch." Minority lawmaker Teddy Baguilat called Chavez's decision to resign as "noble." "I think it’s noble for Usec. Cesar Chavez to resign as an offshoot of his agency’s incompetence in improving the MRT operations," Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat in a statement on Thursday said. Baguilat said this sends a message of personal accountability for one's actions. He noted that filing of charges against previous officials will not make the conditions of the trains better. "Management and purchase of newer ones do," he said. Last November 21, Department of Transportation (DOTr) officials filed plunder complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman against former Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, former Interior Secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas II and several other Cabinet members under the Aquino administration over the alleged questionable contracts for the MRT3 that were signed during their stint. Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate said the resignation of Chavez was unfortunate but not surprising considering the powerful economic and political interests that he had stepped on while addressing the derailed MRT-3 rail system. With Chavez's resignation, people should expect a more problematic MRT3, said Zarate. "Usec Chavez is one of the more open public officials under the DOTr and often invites groups and people's organizations to check or consult on how to deal with the rail problems in the country," Zarate said. "His irrevocable resignation shows that the commuting public will expect, not an improvement, but an even worse MRT service," he added. Anakbayan Rep. Tom Villarin, meanwhile, said Chavez's resignation has already been planned to appease the public. "I think the resignation of Usec Chavez out of delicadeza is fait accompli under an administration that plays the blame game over issues of efficiency in governance," Villarin said. "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 to nowhere," he added. (SunStar Philippines)

Read more: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2017/11/23/transport-exec-quits-over-mrt-mess-576294
Follow us: @sunstaronline on Twitter | SunStar Philippines on Facebook