Rails undersecretary quits DOTr

Transportation Undersecretary for Rails and Toll Roads Noel Kintanar has resigned amid allegations of conflict of interest due to his previous affiliation with conglomerate Ayala Corp.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) confirmed that Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade has accepted Kintanar's resignation which takes effect on November 29.

"Mr. Kintanar said he would like to give Sec. Tugade a free hand in addressing any and all misconceptions or doubts as to the impartiality and independence of the DOTr in addressing the many issues and concerns about transportation," the DOTr noted.

The militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) questioned Kinatanar's appointment as DOTr undersecretary and described it as a "perverted game of musical chairs."

Bayan alleged that Kintanar could use his connections in government "to better serve private interests" whenever the Ayala Group re-employs him after his government stint.

Prior to his appointment, Kintanar served as assistant vice president and executive director of Ayala Corp.

The conglomerate is among the shareholders of the Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) that operates the Light Rail Transit Line 1.

The company through subsidiary AC Infrastructure also operates the Muntinlupa- Cavite Expressway.

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez earlier grilled Kintanar along with Undersecretary for Land Transportation Anne Lontoc and Undersecretary for Air Operations Bobby Lim for possible conflicts of interest in relation to their previous positions in the private sector. — Ted Cordero/VDS, GMA News