AN umbrella network of commuter stakeholders has pressed for the resignation or ouster of Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade, saying Undersecretary for Rails Noel Kintanar became a “sacrificial lamb” when he decided quit his post to ease criticisms against the current crop of officials of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
“We have likened this to a chess game where you sacrifice the rook to save the king. But it is the mastermind who must be removed,” Road Users Protection Advocates (Rupa) chairman Ray Junia said.
“If there is anyone who should resign first, that should be Tugade. He is the most conflicted of them all,” Junia added.
Junia said member of both the House of Representatives and the Senate have “said in so many words that Tugade is not fit to head the DOTr.” He said the Commission on Appointments must stand firm on its earlier decision not to confirm Tugade as DOTr chief despite his reappointment.
“The position of Cabinet secretary is one that is sensitive and of very high trust, the Lower and Upper Chambers of Congress have already cast doubt on his loyalty, his competence and his intention to maneuver contracts to benefit big businesses,” Junia said.
“If Tugade has any self-respect left, he should resign immediately,” Junia added.
Rupa earlier wrote the Commission on Appointments to register their opposition to Tugade’s appointment, scoring the latter for his “incredible and fantastic solutions,” such as his plan to install cable cars over the length of Laguna de Bay, as well as to transform the Metro Rail Transit Line 2 into a Bus Rapid Transit system.
Earlier, two lawmakers have pressed for the resignation of three more undersecretaries of the DOTr owing to conflict of interest, having previously served under private companies that have stakes in big-ticket transportation projects.
Liberal Party Rep. Winston Castelo of the Second District of Quezon City and Party-list Rep. Tom Villarin of Akbayan said the officials— Undersecretary for Air Operations Robert Lim, Undersecretary for Maritime Affairs Felipe Judan and Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Raoul Creencia—must resign immediately to spare President Duterte from accusations of corruption and irregularities.
With Jovvee Marie N. dela Cruz