Ex-Tagaytay mayor takes over as MMDA chief

MANILA, Philippines – Former Tagaytay City mayor Francis Tolentino will officially take the reins of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) today from outgoing Chairman Oscar Inocentes.

The change of leadership at the MMDA will take place at 10 a.m. today at the office of the agency’s chairman.

Earlier, MMDA general manager Robert Nacianceno told The STAR that he and Inocentes had already briefed Tolentino on matters affecting the agency.

Tolentino’s appointment as MMDA chairman has put the leadership impasse at the agency to rest.

Inocentes earlier argued that he is not affected by the change in the administration, insisting that the position of the MMDA chairman is not coterminous with that of the President.

Inocentes, a former Quezon City judge, was appointed by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to replace MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando, who resigned to pursue his vice-presidential bid in last May’s elections.

Inocentes said he would only step down once President Aquino has appointed his replacement.