MANILA – Rodrigo Duterte fired Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary for Railways Mark Tolentino for dealing with the President’s sister, Malacañang announced.
Tolentino “disobeyed the order of the President not to have dealings with his relatives,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque told a hastily called press briefing Monday.
The terminated Transportation official allegedly sought favor from Duterte’s sister, whom Roque did not identify.
“Ang order ng Presidente sa lahat ng taong gobyerno, huwag niyo pong kausapin ang kahit sinong kamag-anak niya na meron pong gustong kahit ano’ng kontrata or appointment sa gobyerno,” said the spokesman.
“Kapag kinausap niyo po ang kahit sinong kamag-anak ng Presidente, basehan na po iyan para kayo ay sibakin,” he said.
Last week Tolentino accused “higher officials” of the Transportation department of derailing the Mindanao Railway Project.
“Higher pa sa akin, hinaharang nila. Kasi gusto nila utangin iyong buong Mindanao Railway,” Tolentino said.
The Mindanao Railway Project has an allocation of P36 billion under the 2018 national budget.
The Department of Transportation “welcomes and strongly supports” the decision of the President.
According to the agency, Tolentino had “questionable dealings” and was “unfairly involving the first family with matters regarding the Mindanao Railway Project.”
“The DOTr, under the leadership of Secretary Arthur Tugade, does not and will not tolerate such acts by its officials or employees,” the agency said in a statement.
“Namedropping and seeking the assistance of the President, his family, or any other influential individual, either for government projects or for personal gain, will never be tolerated,” said the agency.
“May this be a warning to all government officials and employees.”/PN
