Resigned DOTr Usec. Chavez may have been disheartened, says party mate Koko

Transportation Undersecretary for Railways Cesar Chavez may have been disheartened over the problems hounding the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), Senate President Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III said Thursday.

Pimentel, president of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino - Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban),  lamented the decision of his partymate Chavez while he also lauded the latter's dedication at his job.

"Alam mo si Usec. Chavez is a partymate, ako'y nalulungkot nabawasan kami ng PDP-Laban kadre sa gobyerno na magaling, na dedicated at maaga pa lang gising na nandon na sa job site at dedicated talaga siya sa kanyang trabaho," he told reporters.

"I think I need to talk to him pero ang aking analysis eh baka disheartened ata siya doon sa mga patong patong na kaso na finile laban sa kanya eh ginagawa lang naman niya trabaho niya," he added.

Chavez on Thursday morning tendered his "irrevocable" resignation citing his "simple sense of delizadeza."

In his resignation letter to President Rodrigo Duterte dated November 23, Chavez said that 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."

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade had denied any insinuations that he pushed for the resignation of Chavez, saying that he was also surprised over the latter's decision.

Meanwhile, in a separate interview, Pimentel said he was also surprised over Chavez's decision to quit from his post, noting that the Undersecretary did not inform him about it.

"Na-surprise ako. Ako ang nagrecommend kay Cesar. Hindi niya sinabi, bigla na lang nabasa ko ngayon," he said.

"Sa opinion ko, baka nadismaya siya, kinasuhan yata siya, siguro sa feeling niya he is just doing his job, hindi naman happy ang tao sa performance nung MRT, syempre hahanapin mo ang reason, you will terminate the contract of the maintenance provider, ikaw pa ang kinasuhan, but this is part of government service, ang sabi nga ng iba pag wala kang kaso, you are not doing your job," he added.

The Senate chief said he would talk to Chavez to know the reason behind his sudden resignation.

"Parang tumalikod na rin siya sa work sa public service. Pwede kaming mag-usap, ano ang dahilan. It’s not about reversing any decision," he said.  

Asked on whether he would recommend anyone to replace Chavez, Pimentel said: "Hindi na, kasi I did not recommend to the position. I recommended the person." —NB, GMA News