Chika: Franchise ng ABS-CBN tatagal pa hanggang 2020

HABANG tinitipa namin ang kolum na ito’y on standby kami sa reply ni Kane Choa, ABS-CBN’s Corporate Communications Head.

Out of courtesy kasi ay tinext muna namin si Kane if we could possibly give him a ring but sans mention why we eagerly wanted to talk to him.

After more than an hour nang wala kaming natatanggap na reply, we decided to ring him up. But his mobile phone just kept ringing.

Pakay ng pagtawag namin kay Kane was to get his statement—official or otherwise—tungkol sa nakalap naming balita on President Digong Duterte’s alleged decision not to renew the network’s franchise. Of course, ang ugat nito’y ang ‘di pag-ere ng political ads ni Digong though paid noong kasagsagan ng 2016 election season.

Buo na raw ang pasya ni Digong na ipasara ang ABS-CBN, and the ill-fated closure will take place in 2019.

Attendant to this ay ang ‘di na umano pagtanggap ng mga aplikante ng Dos, at the same time ay ang paghanap-hanap na rin ng ibang employment prospects ng mga tauhan doon.

The piece of unconfirmed news struck as a déjà vu. Time was when the network faced the same consequence, ‘yun ‘yung nasa ilalim ang bansa ng liderato ni Ferdinand Marcos only to spring back in operations after Tita Cory Aquino was installed to power.

Dahil bigo kaming makuha ang panig ni Kane, we had to settle for another source, kaso ay huwag na lang daw namin siyang pangalanan.

“Truth is, ABS-CBN’s franchise ends in 2020, not in 2019. And like any other broadcasting network, even telecomm companies, nag-a-apply ng renewal. May pinagdadaanang proseso tulad sa Congress. I cannot divulge the details, but there’s no reason for alarm,” sabi ng aming nakausap, also a network insider.

Between and now and 2020 ay marami pang magaganap. Digong may have a change of heart, too. Eh, kalat na kalat nga sa social media ‘yung pahayag niya noong 2013 that he wouldn’t run for President, anyare?



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Singing soldier launches album

Singing soldier Mel Sorillano will launch his album, “Dinggin Mo Bayan,” on Nov. 28 at 7:30 p.m. at Dusit Thani Hotel Makati. Featured performer is Dulce, one of the country’s most-awarded divas. Other guest performers are Charity Diva Token Lizares, Haydee Manosca, Gem Mascarinas, Sheila Reyes and SPO1 Ann Dinglasan, the “Singing Policewoman.”

ENS/2nd Lt. Mel Sorillano was the grand prize winner of the 2012 AFP-BJMP-DND Battle of Champions. As such, he has been performing for military and government events. He was also one of the performers in the recent “Awit Sa Marawi,” a fundraising concert at the AFP Theater.

Among the songs in the album are “Dinggin,” composed by US-based Pastor Mar Polonia, “Bayani” by mother-son Evelyn and Pipo Cipra, and “Puso Ko’y Iyong-Iyo,” by Vehnee Saturno.

A father of five, Mel is dubbed the “Nat King Cole of the Philippines.” He hails from Nabua, Camarines Sur.

• • •

Musical matriarch marks milestone

Lita Alejar Faustino celebrated recently a major milestone. A few select friends, family and relatives helped her celebrate at the Pacaya Room of the Palma Country Club.

The opening prayer by Lita’s eldest Emy set the mood for one of the evening’s highlights, which was a video montage of special greetings from some celebrity friends (such as Sharon Cuneta, Lani Misalucha, Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho, Gary V., Butch and Tricia Jimenez, and Piolo Pascual) and from family (Lito, Emi, and Krystle Faustino, who all live in Toronto).

It segued to a Lettermen Medley by three of Lita’s eight children (Ding, Tek and Mon, all musical luminaries). Then premiere belter Ivy Violan serenaded Lita’s guests with a nostalgic song. Lita wore outfits that were gifts from her sister Evelyn Alejar-Tuazon, who lives in the US.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Nov. 25, go to Amb. Baby Puyat-Reyes, Rev. Alex Orbito, Jose Lacaba, Rosario Ablaza-Syquia, Perla So-an, Marcia Rodriguez, Tess Cosculluela, Ruth Vergara, Reli German, Virgie Balatico, Dr. Rosendo Roque, Lina Meléndez, Boy Carlos, Mabel Carag, Gen. Jose Almonte, VG DV Savellano, Lulu Africa, Max Edralin, Harvey Gerapusco, Vince Hizon, Aimee Torres and Martin del Rosario…Nov. 26: Evelyn Alvaran-Cruz, Timmy Cruz, Randy Santiago, Monette de Villa, Frederick Peralta, Jun Banaria, Aimee Singson, Edmundo Bayota, Jeryk García, Mitos Araneta, Jet Martin, Raquel Hizon, Jackie Aquino, Jonas Valdecañas, Gabriel Munson, Jr., David Siytangco, Norvina Flores, Atty. Emma Rosqueta, Joross Gamboa, Sheryn Regis and Tonyboy Cojuangco…Nov. 27: former Sen. Freddie Webb, Ronaldo Valdez, Consul Mellie Romero-Ablaza, Dr. Primitivo Chua, Barge Ramos, SM exec Millie Dizon, Millie Reyes, Ofelia S. Angeles, Jean Torresyap, Virgilio Bonifacio, Dr. Grace F. Valledor, Emma Cavit, Jojo M. Carabeo, Larry Tan, Bojie Caldino, Jonas Espina Ejercito, Rene Casibang, JC Cornel, Aeron R. Gabriel, Mila Llorin, Eleanor ‘Nene’ Gerilla of Marilao, Bulacan, and Gem Ramos of Star Magic… Happy wedding anniversary to Ronald Andrew and Michelle Hipolito…Condolences to the family of Patro Subido-Caddarao passed away at 8:42 a.m., Wednesday, November 22 due to cancer of the bile duct which directly affected her liver and pancreas and spread throughout her other organs such as brain which caused her to have a stroke. The Subido and Caddarao families request prayer for the eternal reposed of her soul in the kingdom of our creator, the Lord Almighty. Viewing of her remains will start tomorrow, Thursday, November 23, 2017 until the night of Saturday, November 25, 2017 at our residence at Block 27 Lot 20, Villanova Avenue, Villanova Subdivision, Brgy. Nagkaisang-Nayon, Novaliches, Quezon City. Interment will follow on Sunday, November 26, 2017 at Forest Park cemetery in Brgy. Bagumbong, Caloocan City.

DOTr Usec Chavez resigns over MRT woes

Citing delicadeza, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary for Railways Cesar Chavez tendered his irrevocable resignation yesterday morning as he took full responsibility for the Metro Rail Transit-3 (MRT-3) incidents last week rather than put the blame on anybody else or the past administration.

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade, who is being asked to quit because of the MRT-3, traffic and infrastructure problems of the country, said he was surprised by the sudden resignation of Chavez and, contrary to the insinuation of others, he did not “cause or ask” for his resignation.

Chavez himself said he was not being used as the sacrificial lamb in the face of public criticism after the decoupling of train cars on Nov. 16 and a freak accident that made a commuter lose her arm on Nov. 14.

Chavez’s resignation also came as the DOTr filed charges against nine Cabinet secretaries of the Aquino administration, other officials and individuals for alleged plunder and graft for their supposed roles in anomalous transactions relating to the maintenance service contracts of the MRT-3.

In his resignation letter addressed to President Duterte dated yesterday, Chavez said “a simple sense of delicadeza, which I have adhered to throughout my professional life, gives me no choice but to resign from my said position.”

“It is also my intent and hope that my resignation provides opportunity for the appointment of (a) person better qualified to perform the duties and responsibilities of the subject office,” Chavez read from his resignation letter as he held back tears. 

He also thanked Duterte for entrusting him with the job and expressed his wish for the MRT-3 problems to be resolved properly and with dispatch.

Chavez said he immediately informed Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, who recommended him to the President, of his intention to resign just a few hours after the decoupling of the train cars last week, but was stopped from doing so as it was not yet the right time.

But Chavez said he has been in office for more than a year now, as he was appointed on Oct.18 last year and that “we cannot always blame the past administration.”

“…this is our responsibility now. In our view, this is my responsibility, particularly as undersecretary for railways,” Chavez told reporters in a press conference at the MRT-3’s depot in Quezon City. 

Chavez stressed nobody from the DOTr or Malacañang pressured him to step down from his post. 

Despite his resignation, Chavez claimed that the MRT Transition Team (MTT) managed to improve the services of the train system a few days after they terminated the MRT-3’s contract with its service provider Busan Universal Rail Inc. (BURI) and that the latest incidents were “unfortunate.”

He said the improvements would have been noticeable if the incidents did not take place.

He noted that the MRT-3 had experienced only one to two unloading incidents when they temporarily took over the maintenance work of the train system compared to BURI, which recorded more than five per day.     

“We were just really hit by the decoupling of train cars and that’s where we were judged by the public and the commuters and that is just right, we take responsibility for the inconvenience,” Chavez said.

Chavez, who was the former deputy administrator of the Light Rail Transit-1 (LRT-1) during the Arroyo administration and also a former official of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), said he learned about the importance of spare parts and good management of the train system during his stint at the LRT-1 and MRT-3.

“Kung hindi nakakabilli ng spare parts, nagkaka-aberya; kung kulang performance ng management, nagkakaproblema (If spare parts are not purchased, glitches arise; if management performance is lacking, problems occur),” he said.

Chavez, who was also a former newsman of radio dzRH, said he can go back to being a university president after his resignation.

Although he did not recommend anyone to take his place, Chavez said many best and brightest Filipino experts can work with the MRT-3, including train expert Rene Santiago who worked in the railways during the time of former presidents Ferdinand Marcos and Fidel Ramos.

Santiago, a railway consultant and a former chief operating officer of the North Luzon Railway Corp., thanked Chavez for complimenting his expertise, but said that he would not accept any offer as he has “no plans to commit harakiri” or suicide.

“…I am not crazy…I don’t want to commit harakiri and I don’t want to shoulder that problem. That’s Tugade’s problem,” Santiago told The STAR.

Santiago said he had told Chavez that the MRT-3 is bound to fail and it is a difficult job before the resigned official accepted the DOTr post.

But he said he does not want to blame Chavez for the problems hounding MRT-3 operations.

“He tried his best to do it. It’s a very difficult job, it’s bound to fail. Kawawa naman siya (It’s a pity). That’s why I wanted to talk to him. That’s a battle he will not be able to win,” he added. 

Out of the way

Meanwhile, BURI’s lawyer Maricris Pahate said she was surprised by the resignation of Chavez, but said that they had a chance to explain their side with Tugade now that Chavez is out of the picture.

“Before we have a problem with him, so we are assuming that whatever he is advising that’s all Secretary Tugade knows as well. Hopefully, we can meet with him to clarify our status with the MRT-3,” Pahate told The STAR. 

“This mess can hopefully still be fixed and we can work together with MRT-3,” she added.

Pahate said their “woes” started when Chavez was appointed undersecretary for railways.

Reacting to Chavez’s claims that the MRT-3 has improved after they terminated the contract with BURI, Pahate said she did not see any improvement with the train system, rather it has only worsened under the MTT’s watch.

She added Chavez also did not provide solutions to the MRT-3 problems, unlike when they were still holding the maintenance work of the train system.

After Chavez’s resignation, Pahate said they will watch out for the next move of the DOTr as it might resort to an emergency procurement contract, which might worsen the MRT-3 problem, especially that there is still unfinished contract with the train system.

BURI had bagged the three-year P3.8-billion maintenance contract with the MRT-3 during the administration of former Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) secretary Joseph Abaya.

Tugade said he was surprised by the very sudden turn of events, noting that he was even working with Chavez the day before.

“We have been doing plans and strategies together, up and until yesterday. Even by texts as I was on sickbay,“ Tugade said.

Lawmakers lamented the decision of Chavez while Bagong Alyansang Makabayan secretary-general Renato Reyes said Chavez has been consistent in exposing the anomalies in various MRT contracts.

Pimentel said the government lost a competent and dedicated servant who also happened to be a member of the PDP-Laban party.

Pimentel, the president of PDP-Laban, revealed that it was he who recommended Chavez to be part of the Duterte government.

Pimentel speculated Chavez was probably disheartened by the numerous cases filed against him when he was just doing his job as the undersecretary responsible for the operations of railways, including the MRT-3.

Sen. Grace Poe, chair of the Senate committee on public services, said she respects the decision of Chavez to resign in light of the continued problems of the MRT-3.

“I admire his sense of delicadeza although I doubt that that is the only reason that prompted him to resign. He seemed to be one of the DOTr officials who was 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,” Poe said.

“However, it is time to evaluate the actions and the leadership of the DOTr as a whole in connection with how issues hounding the MRT have been addressed. These issues should be properly and expeditiously resolved despite Usec. Chavez’s resignation and especially considering the commuting horrors our people have to go through everyday,” she added.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan questioned the timing and motivation for the resignation of Chavez.

Pangilinan said Chavez resigned shortly after he caused the cancellation of the maintenance contract of BURI for the MRT-3. – Catherine Talavera, Marvin Sy, Alexis Romero, Rhodina Villanueva

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/11/24/1761881/dotr-usec-chavez-resigns-over-mrt-woes

Investments in infrastructure: Road to development

“Infrastructure positively affects economic growth. Depending on the type of infrastructure, the time or period, the region or location, its effect varies from negligible to moderate,” said Dr. Epictetus E. Patalinghug in his special study “Infrastructure and Economic Growth: The Philippine Experience.”

Patalinghug emphasized that the country’s economic infrastructure gap poses a major stumbling block to sustainable growth. The Philippines’ quality of infrastructure lags behind its ASEAN counterparts due to decades of underinvestment and inefficiency in resource utilization.

Infrastructure inadequacy
Data from The Global Competitiveness Report 2016-2017 of World Economic Forum show that one of the most problematic factors in affecting business and investments is the inadequate supply of infrastructure. This infrastructure inadequacy has increased to 17.8 in 2017 compared to previous year’s score of 17.0 as reflected in The Global Competitiveness Report 2015-2016.

Enabling policy, environment
In order to set the tone for increased investments, President Rodrigo Duterte promised to implement a golden age of infrastructure through its “Build, Build, Build!” infrastructure program by allocating P8.2 trillion infrastructure budget over the next six years. Based on the data from the Department of Budget and Management, the infrastructure outlays for 2015, 2016 and 2017 indicates that the infrastructure budget increased from P575.67 billion in 2015 to P860.65 billion in 2017. In terms of percentage of infrastructure spending as a proportion of GDP, it increased from 4.3 percent in 2015 to 5.4 percent in 2017.

Official development assistance: From pledges to real investments

Despite higher budget allocation, the government should prioritize increasing its capability to create and implement the projected pipeline of infrastructure projects on time.

As one possible solution to this problem, Duterte has encouraged Chinese and Japanese investors to invest in specific projects in the country.

Recently, the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has expressed its contribution by way of financial assistance to the Philippines’ sustainable economic growth through infrastructure development in order to accommodate the growing demand for quality mass transport.

Some of the infrastructure projects to be financed by the Japanese government include the Metro Manila Subway Project Phase 1, Cavite Industrial Area Flood Management Project, Circumferential Road 3 Missing Link Project, Dalton Pass East Alignment Alternative Road Project, Malitubog-Maridagao Irrigation Project Phase 2, Malolos-Clark Railway Project, Arterial Road Bypass Project-Phase 3, Pasig-Marikina Channel Improvement Project Phase 4 and Road Network Development Project in Conflict-Affected Areas in Mindanao.

Safe, reliable and efficient transportation to the commuters’ convenience

Quality mass transportation and increased mobility, serving as drivers of economic growth, are the ultimate goals of these infrastructure projects.

The government’s capacity to construct these projects as planned should also be complemented by the private sector’s comparative advantage in managing, operating and marketing the project.

Moving forward, lessons from the MRT 3’s substandard performance — frequent train breakdowns, accidents, glitches, poor maintenance — and the termination of the anomalous maintenance contract with Busan Universal Rail Incorporated should be seen as an opportunity for the government to broaden its perspective that would hopefully lead to an improvement and innovation in public service.

With the worsening traffic situation in Metro Manila due to population growth and urbanization, government will need to speed up triple-time to catch-up with the country’s growing demand for reliable and efficient mass transportation. For the thousands of commuters in the metro, the shift from road-based to rail-based transport will work to their comfort and convenience. At the end of the day, the challenge for government is to act swiftly so that the welfare and interest of the riding public will not be prejudiced.
___

Lawyer Hannah Viola is a convenor and legal counsel of CitizenWatch Philippines and a fellow of the Stratbase ADR Institute, a partner of Philstar.com.

DOTr still considering Sumitomo as MRT maintenance provider

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has clarified that Sumitomo Corporation is still being considered as the maintenance provider for the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) system.

This as the DOTr is currently involved in discussions with potential and qualified partners that can provide the maintenance requirements of the MRT-3 including Sumitomo Corporation and its technical partner Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

“The DOTr has not been advised by Sumitomo Corporation that they have declined to come back as the maintenance service provider for MRT-3. On the contrary, high level discussions are ongoing with potential qualified and experienced partners who can provide the maintenance requirements of MRT-3, including Sumitomo Corporation and its technical partner, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, to MRT-3,” the department said in a press statement Thursday.

“Finding an interim maintenance service provider for MRT-3 in the medium-term, and an operations and maintenance concessionaire in the long-term, are some of the measures that the DOTr is taking to restore MRT-3’s operational reliability for its 500,000 daily riders,” it added.

The DOTr issued the statement after Transportation Assistant Secretary Elvira Medina said in a television interview  that Sumitomo has declined the offer of the government to return as the maintenance service provider of the railway system.

The Transportation Department has terminated its maintenance contract with Busan Universal Rail Inc. (BURI) last November 6 due to various issues such as poor performance, failure to ensure availability of required number of trains, failure to implement a feasible procurement plan for spare parts and noncompliance with the requirements of a complete and up-to-date Computerized Management System.

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade has created a new Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) for the Maintenance Transition Team (MTT) that is temporarily taking over the MRT operations after the maintenance contract with Busan Universal Rail Inc. (BURI) was terminated earlier this month.

It will procure some critical rehabilitation services and spare parts including, but not limited to, signaling system to cover parts and services; general overhaul of 38 light rail vehicles (LRVs), airconditioned units for passenger riding comfort and total rail replacement.

The department also plans to acquire a technically and financially capable maintenance service provider within three to six months from the government takeover.

The DOTr is looking into a maintenance service contract for 2-3 years from a highly reputable maintenance service provider with a proven track record. Aerol John Pateña/ PNA-northboundasia.com

Poe doubts MRT 3 woes only reason for Chavez’s resignation

Sen. Grace Poe on Thursday expressed doubts that the only reason Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary Cesar B. Chavez decided to quit his post is because of his failure to address problems hounding the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT 3).

“I respect Usec. Cesar Chavez for tendering his resignation in the light of the MRT problems. I admire his sense of delicadeza, although I doubt that that is the only reason that prompted him to resign,” Poe said in a news statement, but did not mention what other reason she had in mind.

Poe, chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Services, said it seemed like Chavez is one of the transport officials who was “determined to fully address all the issues plaguing the MRT 3.”

She also recalled that it was Chavez who was instrumental in revealing the persons involved in the MRT 3 anomalies.

The senator, however, said it was also time to evaluate the leadership of the DOTr as a whole in connection with how MRT 3 issues have been addressed.

She said the issues should be “properly and expeditiously resolved” despite Chavez’s resignation.

Meanwhile, she expressed hope that President Duterte would immediately be able to find a replacement for Chavez.

In a separate statement, Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito said he felt “sad” about Chavez’s resignation.

“That is sad because Undersecretary Cesar Chavez is one of the most passionate DOTr officials, especially on railway projects,” Ejercito said.

Chavez tendered his “irrevocable resignation” from his post on Thursday out of a “simple sense of delicadeza.” 

ABS-CBN donates interdisciplinary hub to Ateneo

ABS-CBN Corp has donated an interdisciplinary hub to the Ateneo de Manila University, a new approach to learning that aims to better prepare students for the digital world.

The new space, which is part of the newly-constructed Areté building, is like a "factory" where students from all disciplines can harness their creativity, said Ateneo president Jose Ramon Villarin.
"It’s an experiment in reinventing the way we teach," Villarin told ABS-CBN News.

Villarin stressed the importance of an interdisciplinary approach for students to be able to thrive in the digital economy.

"Sa edukasyon, usually may major ka, nasa isang department ka lang… Iba na ngayon eh," Villarin said.

(In education, you usually major in something, you are restricted to one department. Now, it's different.)

Villarin presented ABS-CBN Chairman Eugenio "Gabby" Lopez III with a replica of the Immaculate Conception statue of the Ateneo Municipal in Intramuros, Manila as a token of appreciation from the Ateneo community.

Lopez said he recognizes Ateneo’s vision "to nurture the spirit of innovation and creativity," which is shared by ABS-CBN, the country's largest media and entertainment company.

"The educational institutions where we all come from are not creating skill sets that we need to compete in a digital environment that we’re all moving into," Lopez said.

As a businessman, Lopez said he wants employees to possess certain skill sets.

"In the analog world, you went to school and learned certain skills. Then you went to work, used those skills, and became successful. Well, today’s world is very, very different. You have to be constantly learning… The skills we’re learning today are no longer relevant tomorrow," he said.

In 2012, Ateneo tied up with ABS-CBN to construct the Eugenio Lopez Jr. Center for Multimedia Communication inside the campus.

The center is named after Lopez’s father, Eugenio "Geny" Lopez Jr., who is also the founder of ABS-CBN.

Senators laud Railways Usec Chavez after resignation

Some senators say Cesar Chavez is a 'big loss' to the Department of Transportation

Senators lauded Transportation Undersecretary for Railways Cesar Chavez following his resignation over the ongoing mess surrounding the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3).

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, a party mate of Chavez in the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), described him as "dedicated."


"Nakakalungkot. Nabawasan kami ng PDP-Laban kadre sa gobyerno na magaling, dedicated. Maaga pa lang gising na, nasa jobsite, para dedicated talaga sa kanyang trabaho," Pimentel told reporters in an interview in Taguig City on Thursday, November 23.

(I am saddened that we have lost a PDP-Laban colleague in government, someone who is good and dedicated to his job. He's already at his jobsite early in the morning.)

Pimentel surmised that Chavez became "disheartened" with all the issues and cases filed against him.

"I need to talk to him. Ang aking analysis, baka na-dishearten ata sa mga patong-patong na kaso na finile sa kanya, eh ginagawa niya lang trabaho niya. As if napaka-extraordinary or brilliant ng mga nagkaso sa kanya. As if napakagaling ng mga 'yun, siya pa kinasuhan. Siguro nadismaya siya. But this is part of the hazards of government service," Pimentel said.

(I need to talk to him. My analysis is that he might have been disheartened by the filing of cases against him when he was just doing his job. As if his accusers are extraordinary or brilliant. As if they are so good that they had to file a case against him. Maybe he got dismayed. But this is part of the hazards of government service.)

Busan Universal Rail Incorporated (BURI), the former MRT3 maintenance provider whose contract was canceled by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) in early November, previously filed ethics and graft complaints against Chavez.

In a Senate hearing back in May, Chavez had said the contract with BURI should be canceled, citing the daily inconvenience experienced by passengers.

He also lamented BURI's alleged refusal to buy spare parts, which are essential in maintaining the railway system.

Senator Grace Poe, chairperson of the public services committee, said she respects Chavez's decision. But while adding that she admires Chavez's delicadeza, she thinks it is not the only reason for his resignation.

"I respect Usec Cesar Chavez for tendering his resignation in light of the MRT problems," Poe said in a statement.

"[It] is time to evaluate the actions and the leadership of the DOTr as a whole in connection with how issues hounding the MRT have been addressed. These issues should be properly and expeditiously resolved despite Usec Chavez's resignation," she added.

Poe then called on the Duterte administration to hire a capable replacement for Chavez.

"We need to have somebody who will hit the ground running as we cannot afford a mere politically connected OJT. The interest of the public and the improvement of the country's transportation system should be the foremost considerations in choosing a new person at the helm, rather than political accommodation or reciprocity," she said.

'Big loss'

Senators Sherwin Gatchalian and Juan Miguel Zubiri, for their part, said Chavez is a "big loss" to the DOTr.

"The resignation of Usec Chavez is a big loss considering that he had been upfront and straightforward with the problems that surround the department. 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," Gatchalian said.

Zubiri said the next railway czar will have big shoes to fill.

"I'm sure the good undersecretary tried his best to solve the problems of the MRT but the problems seem far greater than one man alone could carry. He believes that maybe someone else may help solve these problems hounding our mass transport system. I respect his decision and I salute him," Zubiri said.

"The new rail czar will have his hands full aside from having to fill the big shoes of Cesar," he added.

Prior to Chavez's resignation, the DOTr had filed plunder complaints against several former members of the Aquino Cabinet for the MRT3 mess.

Rails chief resigns over MRT mess

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

Chavez quits

TRANSPORTATION Undersecretary for Rails Cesar Chavez resigned yesterday.

Chavez announced his irrevocable resignation during a press conference, taking responsibility for the recent incidents at the MRT-3. This includes last week’s accident involving a woman whose arm was severed when she fell from the platform at the Ayala Station and the decoupling of a coach from the rest of the train between Ayala and Buendia Stations which stranded hundreds of passengers.

In his resignation letter to President Rodrigo Duterte dated November 23, Chavez said that he was quitting his post to give an "opportunity for the appointment of person better qualified to perform the duties and responsibilities of the subject office."

Chavez said that it was out of a "simple sense of delicadeza" that he decided to resign, and that he was responsible for the recent mishaps in the MRT3.”

“Mr. President, you are correct, there should be no excuses. Sa totoo niyan, makailang ulit na akong humingi ng paumanhin sa publiko sa aming interviews. Sa tingin ko may magagawa pa. Mas marami pang magagawa. Nais kong bigyan ng pagkakataon ang ating Pangulo, ang ating Secretary na magkaroon ng pagkakataon na tingnan ulit ang management ng MRT3," Chavez said in a press conference.

"I am tendering my irrevocable resignation and I want to give the chance to the President to appoint a new one. Salamat po sa tiwala sa isang taon at isang buwan," he added.
   
Chavez, who earlier vowed that the government will solve the issues of the MRT Line 3 "within three to six months," said that his resignation was effective immediately.

Tugade surprised
   
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade was surprised by the irrevocable resignation of Chavez.
   
In a statement Tugade said: "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. We have been doing plans and strategies together, up and until yesterday. Even by texts as I was on sickbay. That is why I am surprised by the very sudden turn of events."
   
Amid the resignation of Chavez development the Public Commuters and Motorists Alliance (PCMA) urged the leadership of DOTr to immediately end the inconvenience suffered by MRT 3 riders.
   
“Sobra na ang kalbaryong dinaranas ng mga commuters araw-araw sa MRT, tiklop luhod pa kaming nakikiusap kay Sec. Arthur Tugade ng DOTr at kay President Rodrigo Duterte wakasan na ang problema ng MRT,” said PCMA national president Jessie Santos.

After Chavez resignation, lawmakers urge DOTr to lay down plans to solve MRT, traffic woes

Transportation Undersecretary Cesar Chavez's resignation amid successive Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3) woes drew mixed reactions from senators and congressmen.

All of them, however, agreed that Chavez's resignation stressed the need for the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to immediately lay down its plans to address the MRT and traffic problems plaguing the country.

Chavez on Thursday tendered his irrevocable resignation from his post, citing "simple sense of delicadeza" amid the glitches that the MRT3 has been suffering almost every day.

In a statement on Thursday, Bayan Muna party-list Representative Carlos Zarate said Chavez's departure was unfortunate but not surprising.

Zarate claimed that the power economic and political interests that Chavez might have stepped on as he addressed MRT3 issues may have caused his resignation.

"USec Chavez is one of the more open public officials under the DOTr (Department of Transportation) and often invites groups and people's organizations to check or consult on how to deal with the rail problems in the country," he said.

"His irrevocable resignation shows that the commuting public will expect, not an improvement, but an even worse MRT service," he added.

For Akbayan party-list Representative Tom Villarin, Chavez's resignation out of "delicadeza" was "fait accompli," or an accomplished fact, as the administration continued to play the blame game over government inefficiency.

"The MRT3 mess is a collective problem that goes all the way up to Malacanang. It was a campaign promise to be solved in the short run just like the campaign against illegal drugs," he told reporters in a message.

"To appease the public, someone’s head had to be in the chopping block. USec Chavez's good intentions can’t hide a government that is leading us to nowhere," he added.

Magdalo party-list Representative Gary Alejano, on the other hand, respected Chavez's decision and lauded his courage to own up to his shortcomings.

Alejano said Chavez's resignation, however, does not signal the end of the problems that continue to hound the MRT3.

"The government must now lay down its plan on how to address the MRT mess. The Filipino people deserve safe, reliable, and efficient transportation services," he said.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian echoed Alejano's sentiments.

“[The] DOTr urgently needs a good communicator to explain to us, the public, about their plans and solutions to improve the traffic situation in the country.”

Gatchalian said Chavez’s stepping down was a “big loss,” since the former undersecretary had been “upfront and straightforward” in reporting the issues hounding the Department of Transportation.

Man of integrity

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri was also all praises for Chavez, whom the lawmaker described as a “man of integrity and honor.”

“His actions today further strengthened my belief that there are still men and women in government who put importance on delikadeza above personal interest and ambition,” Zubiri said in a statement.

“I'm sure the good Undersecretary tried his best to solve the problems of the MRT but the problems seem far greater than one man alone could carry. He believes that maybe someone else may help solve these problems hounding our Mass Transport system. I respect his decision and I salute him," he added.

Zubiri also said the public has become “wary” of a variety of issues surrounding the train line, such as anomalous contracts, the trains and their signaling system, and unresolved charges of corruption.

“Likewise, we don't expect to see the resolution any sooner of cases that have been filed against very high profile personalities including the Department honchos straddling several Administrations,” he said.

Zubiri also raised the issue of the government’s being “hard-pressed to find a willing and technically qualified partner in the massive rehab of the MRT system,” citing the alleged refusal of previous maintenance provider Sumitomo to once again work with the government.

However, the DOTr has in fact clarified Sumitomo is still in the running towards regaining its place as the MRT3’s maintenance contractor.

Zubiri urged Malacañang to form a search committee to find Chavez's replacement, who would have the same zeal and ethichs as the resigned official.

"We only wish that aside from the financial viability of the MRT and the subsequent cleansing of the contracts, that the government's role as provider of a reliable, efficient and affordable mass transport system is realized,” he also said.

The pace of the country’s trains, he said, would dictate the pace of the growth of its economy.

Finally, Zubiri called for “serious inter-agency efforts” for the creation of a “comprehensive, long-term and sustainable plan for our railway system, including the rehabilitation of the MRT.

"The new rail czar will have his hands full aside from having to fill the big shoes of Cesar. Public service should be the mantra of the person selected to replace Cesar,” he said.

Senators Grace Poe, JV Ejercito, and Joel Villanueva also commented on Chavez’s resignation in separate statements.

Executive session

For his part, House Transportation Committee chair Cesar Sarmiento said that despite Chavez's resignation, the DOTr can still move forward and address the issues of the mass transportation system.

"We trust that the DOTr leadership already had a reliable and intact maintenance and procurement plan for MRT3 in their hands even before they took over the system early this month so that, despite the present leadership void, the DOTr can still move towards the right direction as regards the MRT3 day-to-day operations and maintenance," he said.

The House transportation panel will hold an executive session on Monday with invited DOTr officials as regards the issues of the MRT3.

"An executive session will encourage the DOTr officials to freely talk about the MRT3 takeover and thresh out the operational and budgetary issues. This will also ensure that we do not prejudice the stand of the government in the pending court and arbitration cases," Sarmiento said.

"Rest assured, the Committee on Transportation is not taking the MRT issue lightly and is doing its part for the welfare of the Filipino commuters," he added. — MDM, GMA News

Tugade: I didn’t ask Chavez to resign

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade on Thursday denied that he urged Cesar Chavez to step down as undersecretary for railways.

“For the record and contrary to the insinuations of others, I did not cause or ask Undersecretary Cesar Chavez to resign,” Tugade said.

X

The Transport chief said he was also surprised by Chavez’s move.

“He has my full trust and confidence. We have been doing plans and strategies together, up and until yesterday. Even by texts as I was on sickbay,” Tugade said.

Chavez announced Thursday morning that he has tendered his irrevocable and immdeiate resignation over the sorry condition of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3.

His resignation comes after a coach detached from a train last week and an accident that severed the arm of a passenger who fell onto the tracks.

In a letter to President Rodrigo Duterte, Chavez said that he resigned out of his sense of delicadeza, which roughly translates to propriety.

Chavez also clarified that his move to step down was a personal decision.


But Sen. Grace Poe expressed doubts that Chavez’s sense of delicadeza was the only reason that prompted him to resign.


"He seemed to be one of the DOTr officials who was determined to fully address all the issues plaguing the MRT," she said in a statement to media. "I recall he was instrumental in unearthing the persons involved in anomalies that caused these issues." 


READ: Undersecretary for Railways resigns over MRT woes

Headlines ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

Call to improve DOTr leadership                  

The undersecretary's resignation was met with disappointment and with surprise.

In a statement, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan said the group was shocked over the sudden resignation, saying Chavez “has been consistent in exposing the anomalies in various MRT contracts.”

Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate (Bayan Muna party-list) described Chavez’s move as “unfortunate.”

“Undersecretary 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, he said.

Zarate said the public should expect an even worse MRT service after the exit of Chavez.

Poe, chair of committee on public services, noted that his departure calls for the evaluation of the actions and leadership of DOTr.

“These issues should be properly and expeditiously resolved despite Undesecretary Chavez's resignation and especially considering the commuting horrors our people have to go through everyday,” Poe said.

Sen. Nancy Binay, on the other hand, thanked Chavez for his service and his commitment to find solutions to the issues besetting Metro Manila’s busiest train line.

“We wish him well and may he continue to be an advocate for a safe, efficient, and affordable transportation service,” Binay said.

Rep. Teddy Baguilat (Ifugao) lauded Chavez’s action, saying “it sends a message of personal accountability for one’s actions.”

“This is in stark contrast to his other colleagues’ penchant of continuing to blame the officials of the previous administration for the MRT woes. Filing inappropriate plunder cases doesn’t make the trains run better. Better management and purchase of newer ones do,” he said. 

DOTr on Tuesday filed plunder charges against Cabinet members of the previous administration including former Transportation chief Joseph Emilio Abaya over the allegedly anomalous maintenance deal for MRT 3.

READ: Abaya, Roxas, others face plunder complaint over MRT deal

MRT-3 service could get worse, says Bayan Muna solon

By Ellson Quismorio and Hannah  Torregoza

The commuting public can expect, not an improvement, but an even worse MRT service.

Bayan Muna Party-List Rep. Carlos Zarate said this shortly after Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary for Railways Cesar Chavez announced his irrevocable resignation today, November 23.

Even as he called Chavez’s exit unfortunate, Zarate claims it was not a surprise “considering the powerful economic and political interests that Chavez stepped into while addressing the rotten and derailed Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) system.”

“The MRT/LRT problem is now emblematic of the grave and utter failure of the government’s onerous privatization program and abandonment of its primary role and control of our public mass transportation system,” the solon further said.

The MRT3, with an average daily ridership of 500,000, will mark 18 years of operation next month.  It runs from North Avenue in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay City.

Zarate was joined by several senators in praising Chavez for his openness and willingness to consult  with stakeholders on how to best tackle problems pertaining to the rail systems.

Senator Grace Poe, chair of the Senate committee on public services, hopes the President  would soon find the person who can handle the beleaguered post.

Poe said she “admires” Chavez’ sense of delicadeza “although I doubt that that is the only reason that prompted him to resign. He seemed to be one of the DOTr officials who was determined to fully address all the issues plaguing the MRT.”

Sen. Joel Villanueva agreed with Poe when she said Chavez has been on the frontline uncovering anomalies in the MRT. “His sudden resignation surprised us,” Villanueva said, adding, “We admire Usec Chavez for his honesty and humility to be accountable for the recent MRT problems. “

Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito also lamented Chavez’ decision to quit as he considers him as one of the more passionate DOTr officials especially on railway projects.

“We may find ourselves back to zero again whoever gets appointed as the new replacement,” Ejercito said. “I expect delays and more problems especially during the transition.”

“Problem is, we do not really have rail or tech experts who can take over,”  he added.

For Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, Chavez is a big loss “considering that he had been upfront and straightforward with the problems that surround the department.”

“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.

Meanwhile, Sen. Nancy Binay urged Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade to step in and immediately appoint Chavez’ replacement.

In a statement, Binay said, “The MRT is a vital component of Metro Manila’s transportation network and we owe the commuting public an uninterrupted service to them.”

‘Suprised’ Tugade says he didn’t ask Chavez to resign

Senators urged Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade on Thursday to immediately find a new but qualified undersecretary for rails following the resignation of Cesar Chavez amid the glitches hounding the Metro Rail Rail Line 3 (MRT-3).

READ: DOTr Usec. Cesar Chavez resigns over MRT-3 mess

While expressing dismay over Chavez’ resignation, Senators Miguel Zubiri, Nancy Binay, and Grace Poe, who chairs the Senate public services committee, has called on Tugade to hastily find for Chavez’ replacement.

READ: Poe doubts ‘sense of delicadeza’ only reason for Chavez resignation

“The interest of the public and the improvement of the country’s transportation system should be the foremost considerations in choosing a new person at the helm, rather than political accommodation or reciprocity,” Poe said in a statement.

“The new rail czar will have his hands full aside from having to fill the big shoes of Cesar. Public service should be the mantra of the person selected to replace Cesar,” Zubiri said.

Meanwhile, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel, and Senators Sherwin Gatchalian and Joel Villanueva lamented the resignation of Chavez, whom they lauded as a responsible public official.

“Nakakalungkot kasi (It’s saddening because) he’s one dedicated public official. Na-surprise ako eh (I was surprised),” Pimentel, who recommended Chavez to the transportation agency, said in an ambush interview.

“Masyado yata siyang frustrated, baka nadismaya sya na he’s just doing his job at hindi naman happy ang commuter sa service ng MRT,” he added.

(Maybe he became really frustrated, maybe he’s dismayed that he’s just doing his job but the commuters aren’t happy with the MRT service.)

Gatchalian said Chavez is a big loss to the DOTr considering that he had been “upfront and straightforward” with the problems that continues to pester the MRT-3.

Senators respect Chavez decision to quit but asks Duterte for immediate replacement

SENATORS expressed admiration and respect for Transport Undersecretary Cesar Chavez who resigned from his post out of “delicadeza” over the unresolved problems at the Metro Rail Transit-3 (MRT-3) but called on President Rodrigo Duterte to find a replacement immediately.

Senator Grace Poe said she respected Chavez for tendering his resignation.

”I admire his sense of delicadeza although I doubt that that is the only reason that prompted him to resign,” Poe, chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Services, said in a statement on Thursday.

She expressed hope that President Rodrigo Duterte would be able to find someone willing to take up the cudgels Chavez left behind to ensure the safety of MRT commuters.


She also cautioned Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade against politicking in choosing Chavez’s replacement.

She said that qualifications and altruism should be the top considerations for choosing Chavez’s successor and not party affiliation. Chavez is with the Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban (PDP-Laban), Duterte’s party.

Sen. Joel Villanueva shared Poe’s sentiment.

“We have high respect for Usec. Cesar Chavez. He has been on the frontline uncovering anomalies in the MRT. His sudden resignation surprised us,” Villanueva said.

“We admire Usec. Chavez for his honesty and humility to be accountable for the recent MRT problems. We thank him for his service and wish him well in his future endeavors,” Villanueva said.

Villanueva said that concerned agencies should “continue what Chavez had started: Unearth and address the real issues, anomalies and problems in the DoTr.”

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said Chavez’s resignation was “a big loss considering that he had been upfront and straightforward with the problems that surround the department.”

Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito said he expected more delays and problems to arise in the coming days since whoever would replace Chavez would “need time to be acquainted and to know the problems” in the MRT system.

This is why Sen. Nancy Binay called on Tugade to immediately appoint Chavez’s replacement, especially since the MRT-3 was serving hundreds of thousands of commuters in Metro Manila every day.

“The MRT is a vital component of Metro Manila’s transportation network and we owe the commuting public an uninterrupted service to them,” Binay said.

“It is time to evaluate the actions and the leadership of the DoTr as a whole in connection with how issues hounding the MRT have been addressed,” said Poe.

She said Chavez seemed to be one of the DoTr officials who was 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.

“These issues should be properly and expeditiously resolved despite Usec. Chavez’s resignation and especially considering the commuting horrors our people have to go through everyday,” Poe said.

Ejercito is apprehensive that efforts to improve the MRT system would be “back to zero” since Chavez’s replacement would have to acquaint himself or herself with the problems hounding MRT operations.

“New officer-in-charge needs time to know the problems and eventual solutions. I expect delays and more problems specially may transition,” he said.

Gatchalian said the DoTr urgently needed a good communicator to explain to us, the public about plans and solutions to improve the traffic situation of the country.

“The problem is, we do not really have rail or tech experts who can take over and is equipped with the knowledge already,” Ejercito said. JEFF ANTIPORDA, EIREENE GOMEZ

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Opposition solons regard Chavez for ‘noble’ resignation

Opposition lawmakers hailed as “noble” the decision of Undersecretary for Rails Cesar Chavez to resign from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) “out of delicadeza” amid the problems hounding the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT-3).

Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat Jr. said it was honorable for Chavez to step down as an “offshoot of his agency’s incompetence in improving the MRT operations.”

“It sends a message of personal accountability for one’s actions and for that I praise him,” Baguilat said in a text message to reporters on Thursday.

Baguilat said Chavez might have felt that the agency failed to live up to the administration’s promises of immediately improving the MRT-3, and this could have prompted him to resign.

“This is in stark contrast to his other colleagues’ penchant of continuing to blame the officials of the previous administration for the MRT woes,” he said.

“Filing inappropriate plunder cases doesn’t make the trains run better. Better management and purchase of newer ones do,” Baguilat added.

The DOTr recently filed a plunder complaint against nine former Cabinet members in the Aquino administration before the Office of the Ombudsman over alleged anomalous contracts for the maintenance of the MRT-3.

Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin, meanwhile, said Chavez’s resignation was already a “fait accompli” as it happened under the Duterte administration that “plays the blame game over issues of efficiency in governance.”

Villarin believed that Chavez’s resignation had to happen to appease the public.

“Someone’s head had to be in the chopping block,” he said.

“Usec. Chavez’s good intentions can’t hide a government that is leading us to nowhere,” he said.

Villarin then 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,” he said.

In announcing his irrevocable resignation from the transportation department, Chavez said the DOTr cannot always blame the past administration for the MRT system problems “because this is already our responsibility.”  /kga

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Tugade: I did not ask Usec. Chavez to resign

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade on Thursday belied claims that he pushed for the resignation of Undersecretary Cesar Chavez, saying he was also surprised by Chavez's decision.

"For the record, and contrary to the insinuations of others, I did not cause or ask Usec. Cesar Chavez to resign,” he said in a text message to reporters.

Chavez earlier in the day tendered his irrevocable resignation citing "simple sense of delicadeza" amid the almost-daily glitches of the MRT3.

Still, Tugade said Chavez continues to have his full trust and confidence.

"He has my full trust and confidence. We have been doing plans and strategies together, up and until yesterday. Even by texts as I was on sickbay. That is why
I am surprised by the very sudden turn of events," he said.

In his resignation letter to President Rodrigo Duterte dated November 23, Chavez said he is quitting his post to give an "opportunity for the appointment of person better qualified to perform the duties and responsibilities of the subject office."

Chavez, who earlier vowed that the government will solve the issues of the MRT Line 3 "within three to six months," said that his resignation is effective immediately.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has been in charge of the maintenance of the MRT3 after it terminated last November 6 its contract with Busan Universal Rail, Inc. (BURI), which covers the general overhauling of 43 Light Rail Vehicles (LRV), the total replacement of the signaling system, and other additional maintenance works.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. declined to comment on Chavez's resignation. On Wednesday, Roque announced that Chavez will join him in riding the MRT on Thursday morning.

Chavez announced his resignation in a press conference an hour before their scheduled MRT trip. KBK, GMA News

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
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Poe doubts Chavez’s resignation solely due to delicadeza

Senator Grace Poe on Thursday expressed doubt that newly-resigned Transportation Undersecretary for Rails Cesar Chavez’s stepping down was solely due to his sense of delicadeza.

While the senator, who heads the Senate committee on public services, said she respected Chavez’s decision and admired his sense of delicadeza, she “doubt[s] that that is the only reason that prompted him to resign.”

“He seemed to be one of the DOTr officials who was determined to fully address all the issues plaguing the [Metro Rail Transit]. I recall he was instrumental in unearthing the persons involved in anomalies that caused these issues,” Poe said in a statement without elaborating.

Chavez announced his resignation on Thursday morning, saying his “simple sense of delicadeza” gave him no choice but to step down. His move took place amid the near-daily glitches of the MRT3.

During his stint as Undersecretary for Rails, Chavez usually served as the main media resource person for official statements on MRT3’s service interruptions, glitches, accidents, and the actions of its officials.

It was also him who vowed, on behalf of the DOTr, that the operations of the MRT3 would improve after the expulsion of the train line’s "poorly performing" and "anomalous" maintenance provider.

Poe in her statement also called for the evaluation of the performance of the leadership of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) amid the recent spate of technical glitches suffered by the MRT3.

“However, it is time to evaluate the actions and the leadership of the DOTr as a whole in connection with how issues hounding the MRT have been addressed,” she said.

“These issues should be properly and expeditiously resolved despite Usec. Chavez’s resignation and especially considering the commuting horrors our people have to go through everyday,” she added.

Poe said she hoped President Rodrigo Duterte will find a capable and willing replacement for Chavez.

“I hope the President finds someone able and willing to take up the cudgels the Usec. left behind in order to finally ensure the safety and convenience of the riding public,” she said in the statement.

Meanwhile, Senator JV Ejercito said he expects a “back-to-zero” scenario and more problems in the ailing MRT3’s operations after Chavez’s resignation, as the person who will fill the vacated position needs time to be acquainted with the train line’s issues.

“I expect more delays and problems to arise in the coming days as whoever the new officer-in-charge needs time to be acquainted and to know the problems,” said Ejercito in a statement.

He also raised the supposed lack of rail or technology experts who can take over the position.

“Problem is, we do not really have rail or tech experts who can take over and is equipped with the knowledge already. Panibagong kapaan na naman ito,” he said.

Chavez's resignation was "sad," Ejercito said, as Chavez "is one of the more passionate DOTr officials specially on railway projects."

For his part, Senator Joel Villanueva, who puts Chavez in high regard, sounded off on the news on Twitter.