MMDA's Tolentino apologizes for Playgirls performance

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino on Wednesday apologized for the Playgirls' performance during a Liberal Party event in Laguna last week.

 

A News TV Live report said Tolentino apologized to his mother, presidential aspirant Mar Roxas, Laguna Rep. Benjie Agarao and to the Liberal Party for the performance of members of the sexy dance group on September 30.

 

"Pinaaabot ko po ang paghingi ng pang-unawa, paghingi ng kapatawaran doon sa mga ating nasaktang grupo ng kababaihan dahil sa sitwasyong nangyari sa Sta Cruz, Laguna. Naging kamalian ko at tinatanggap ko ang hindi pagpigil doon sa naging performance ng mananayaw dahil ako ang pinakamataas na opisyal ng pamahalaan doon sa naturang lugar," Tolentino said during the launching of three Pasig River ferries at the Guadalupe station in Makati City.

 

He added: "Kung na-offend ko po ang grupo ng kababaihan, humihingi ako ng paumanhin. Humihingi ako ng paumanhin sa pamilya ni Congressman Benjie Agarao, sa mga kaibigan natin sa Laguna. Humihingi ako ng paumanhin sa aking nanay na nasaktan din, sa Partido Liberal, kay Secretary Mar Roxas na hindi dapat madamay ang kanyang pangalan."

 

The Playgirls performed after the oath-taking of new LP members. The event's emcee announced that the sexy group's performance was a gift of Tolentino to Agarao, which the MMDA chairman had denied.

 

"Muli hindi ko nakontrol, hindi ko napigilan ang naturang insidente na sa aking paniniwala at paniniwala rin ng iba ay ginagawa rin naman sa araw-araw sa harap ng milyyun-milyon sa telebisyon," he added.

 

Tolentino said that he has also asked the LP leadership to exclude him from the list of names being considered for the party's senatorial slate.

 

"Muli po pinapaabot ko sa Partido Liberal na alisin na ang pangalan ko sa kinu-consider nilang line up sa pagka-senador sa 2016," he said.

 

The MMDA chairman announced his senatorial run in Manila last September 29. 

 

The LP said it will name its 12 senatorial candidates on Friday.

 

Earlier, 10 labor groups filed before the Office of the Ombudsman a joint criminal complaint against Tolentino over the Playgirl's performance at the LP event.

 

In their 10-page complaint, leaders of labor groups charged Tolentino of violation of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees and violation of the Magna Carta of Women.

 

“Women, in the persons of the ‘Playgirls’ were completely discriminated by allowing them to portray obscene show in public, which is scandalous, contrary to good morals, good customs, public policy and public interest,” a copy of the complaint read.

 

The complainants alleged that it was Tolentino, as chairman of the MMDA, who should be held accountable over the incident as he has the power to stop the show. —ALG, GMA News