Licuanan resigns from SBMA

President Arroyo accepted yesterday the resignation of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) head Francisco Licuanan III, who left his post after less than a year reportedly due to political pressure.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye made the announcement last night, saying Licuanan tendered his resignation in a letter dated Aug. 25 that would take effect at the end of the month.

Mrs. Arroyo "has accepted his resignation with regret and sincere appreciation for his valuable service to the country," Bunye said.

There was no mention of Licuanan’s replacement.

Licuanan, former president of Ayala Land Inc., was appointed by Mrs. Arroyo on Sept. 28 last year but assumed the post on Nov. 1. At that time, Licuanan was the presidential adviser on Subic-Clark development.

It was not clear whether he also resigned from his post as presidential adviser.

Licuanan has been credited with steering the growth of Ayala Land as the largest property company in the country.

In appointing him, the President promised to give Licuanan a wide berth in managing SBMA, which is responsible for the billion-peso facilities and businesses in the former United States military base.

Mrs. Arroyo then remarked that Licuanan was one of her "prized catches" for the administration, because of his track record.

However, reports said Licuanan’s resignation had nothing to do with the ongoing political controversies hounding the Arroyo administration but were due to Mrs. Arroyo apparently reneging on her promise to give him a free hand in managing the SBMA.

Reports said Licuanan was fed up with political intrusions into SBMA affairs, including the appointment of officials without his recommendations.