Palace defends Customs, MMDA chiefs amid resignation calls

Malacañang on Wednesday defended Bureau of Customs (BOC) chief Alberto Lina and Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chief Francis Tolentino amid calls for them to resign from their respective posts.

 

In a statement, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said President Benigno Aquino III still trusts both Lina and Tolentino. 

 

“Sina Commissioner Lina at Chairman Tolentino ay mayroong mabibigat na responsibilidad na sinisikap nilang gampanan sa pinakamahusay na paraan… Sa aking pagkabatid, patuloy na nagtitiwala ang Pangulo sa kakayahan nilang dalawa,” Coloma said.

 

The Palace official added that it would be unreasonable to always call for the resignation of government officials everytime they make unpopular decisions.

 

“Sa pagganap ng tungkulin, hindi lahat ng kanilang pinapahayag ay sinasangayunan ng mga naaapektuhan o maaaring maapektuhan ng kanilang mga desisyon o aksyon,” Coloma said.

 

“Hindi naman makatuwiran na tuwing may hindi pagsangayon, hihilingin kaagad ang pagbibitiw ng mga opisyal na tulad nila,” he added.

 

The Overseas Council of Leaders in Jeddah and lawyer Harry Roque earlier called for Lina’s resignation after the BOC drew flak for its plan to physically inspect balikbayan boxes. 
 

On Monday, Aquino directed the BOC to no longer push ahead with its plan, and instead to just inspect suspicious balikbayan boxes. 
 

Labor organization Public Services Labor Independent Confederation, meanwhile, wants Tolentino out of MMDA due to the traffic congestion in Metro Manila. — Andreo Calonzo/RSJ, GMA News