Transportation chief resigns

SECRETARY Jose “Ping” de Jesus of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) tendered his resignation on Monday without explaining why, fueling speculation as to the reason behind his decision to quit.
Transportation Undersecretary Dante Velasco confirmed on Wednesday that de Jesus filed his resignation—set to take effect on June 30—to President Benigno Aquino 3rd on Monday afternoon, but did not give a reason for it.
Velasco said that he only learned about his superior’s decision also on Wednesday through a telephone call.
He, however, noted that the Transportation secretary, who once served in the Cabinet of then-President Corazon Aquino—the mother of President Aquino— as Public Works and Highways secretary, had wanted to go back to being a private citizen.
Other reports, though, said that health reasons were cited in his decision to resign.
Until the President appointed him as Transportation chief on June 29, 2010, de Jesus was president and chief operating officer of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco).
Though the reason for the secretary’s resignation remained unclear, there were unconfirmed reports that it was somehow connected with the expected return of Assistant Secretary Virginia Torres as chairman of the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
It was alleged that de Jesus was not in favor of Mr. Aquino’s decision to retain Torres in her post.
In April, the President advised Torres to go on leave for 60 days in the wake of the Justice department’s recommendation to suspend her for alleged involvement in a failed takeover of Stradcom Corp. by a group of businessmen who claimed to be the company’s new owners and officials.
The company is the transporation office’s sole information technology service provider.
One of the firm’s two supposed factions, led by Bonifacio Sumbilla and Aderito Yujuico, attempted to take over its facility inside the LTO main office along East Avenue in Quezon City on December 9, paralyzing operations for more than six hours.
Velasco dismissed the allegation, however, saying that it has no basis and that the issue was “too small” to be the reason behind his superior’s resignation.
There were also reports that de Jesus’ alleged bias for the other Stradcom faction, headed by businessman Cesar Quiambao, had something to do with his resignation.
The company, meanwhile, downplayed that allegation, saying that it insulted the Transportation chief’s integrity.
“His track record will show—and even the most respected of government personalities will vouch [for it]—that Secretary de Jesus is a man [who cannot be] easily influenced,” Stradcom spokesman Margaux Salcedo said.
Members of the public transport sector had expressed sadness over de Jesus’ resignation.
Rep. Homer Mercado of the United Transport Koalisyon (1-UTAK) party-list described the Transportation chief as an honest and hardworking government official, saying that he is a big loss to the government since he is a very experienced and deserving individual of the post.
Militant transport group Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytors Nationwide (Piston) said that it respects the secretary’s decision and hopes that Mr. Aquino would replace him with an individual sensitive to the needs of the transport sector.
The Manila Times tried to get in touch with de Jesus but he could not be reached at press time.
With report from Francis Earl A. Cueto

Source: http://www.manilatimes.net/news/topstories/transportation-chief-resigns/