(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte may accept sacked Transportation Assistant Secretary Mark Tolentino’s public apology for violating the chief executive’s directive his name nor those of the members of his family should not be used for leverage, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said.
But according to Roque, the President “still needs to stand by” his order to sack Tolentino, a fraternity brother.
“Siguro po ay mapapatawad niya kung humingi tawad, pero kinakailangan po na manindigan ang Presidente na ang lumalabag sa kaniyang directive na hindi dapat makipag-ugnayan sa kaniyang mga kamag-anak ay masisibak sa puwesto,” Roque said.
According to Roque, after all, Tolentino’s case should serve as an “example” to others.
“Para walang makikipag-ugnayan sa kahit kaninong kamag-anak (ng Presidente) pagdating sa mga kontrata sa gobyerno,” he said.
Last week, Tolentino, who was appointed to the post by Duterte in 2017, was dismissed after he revealed in a press conference that he talked to Jocelyn Duterte, the President’s sister, about the Mindanao Railway Project.
This was after he accused some Transportation “higher-ups” of being behind supposed delays in the project.
The Department of Transportation, however, denied his allegations, adding his press conference was unauthorized in the first place.
After being sacked, Tolentino said he “wasn’t name-dropping the first family to push for an agenda.”
“I just sought their advice on something which I think is within the interest of Mindanao,” he said.
Even then, Tolentino said he respected the decision of the President.
On Friday, May 25, Tolentino issued a public apology to Duterte, saying he inadvertently used the name of the chief executive’s sister because he was enthusiastic about the MRP.
