(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte has fired Transportation Assistant Secretary Mark Tolentino, and another was slated to resign on Tuesday, May 22.
This is according to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, who held a press conference on Monday, May 21.
Roque said it was Tolentino who approached a member of the presidential family for help in a current project.
President Duterte had said the unnamed official at that time had approached his sister.
“Sabi ko, ‘tanggalin mo.’ Sabi ko, ‘fire him out.’ His violation? He violated my order na pagka ako ang minention or talking to my relatives, even on a conversation about a project only, t***, sisipain talaga kita,” Duterte had said, apparently referring to Tolentino.
Tolentino’s dismissal also came days after he held a press conference, accusing other officials in the Department of Transportation (DOTr) of “derailing” the Mindanao Railway project.
“Higher pa sa akin, hinaharang nila. Kasi gusto nila utangin ‘yung buong Mindanao Railway. May budget na P36 billion [pero] gusto nila utangin sa isang foreign company,” Tolentino had said.
Bu the DoTr said Tolentino’s press conference had not been authorized.
Mans Carpio, the President’s son-in-law, also slammed Tolentino, calling him a “name-dropper” and a “liar.”
“Do not ever use the first family in your shenanigans. May nalalaman ka pang press con. Tigilan mo na yan!” he said.
As for the official who would submit his or her resignation, Roque did not identify him or her.
“Magsusubmit naman na ng resignation,” he said.
https://youtu.be/V6m6y2-HZXY
