MMDA defends appointment of traffic consultant

MANILA, Philippines – Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Francis Tolentino yesterday defended his controversial appointment of a losing mayoralty bet in Bulacan as his consultant for traffic concerns.

“Ang appointment sa kanya ay ad hoc basis o temporary lamang to address traffic concerns. In the long run, we will be putting the right person who will man our traffic unit and that person is very credible,” Tolentino said.

Tolentino said his appointment of Roberto “Bobby” Esquivel as consultant of the agency’s Traffic and Transport Management Office (TTMO) is only on a “temporary basis” with the aim of just helping him formulate traffic management plans and strategies.

Tolentino added that his appointment of Esquivel is not covered by the ban on the appointment to any government post of any losing candidate within one year following the elections. Tolentino said he will eventually be naming a “person who is very credible” to head the unit.

Tolentino had earlier ordered the relief of MMDA director Angelito Vergel de Dios as head of the TTMO. De Dios was ordered transferred to the MMDA’s Public Safety and Environment Protection Office. MMDA insiders said De Dios’ relief and transfer was part of the agency’s ongoing probe into the alleged bribery of some MMDA officials by some bus companies.

He said the TTMO will be temporarily headed by Engineer Noemi Recio, now the head of the MMDA’ Traffic Engineering Center with Esquivel serving as consultant. Esquivel, according to MMDA insiders, directly reports to Tolentino. “Mag-aadvice lang siya at hindi magpapatupad o magmamando sa mga traffic enforcers. Si Noemi Recio naman talaga ang in-charge sa traffic at consultant lamang si Mr. Esquivel,” Tolentino said in a radio interview over dzMM yesterday morning.

The appointment of Esquivel as MMDA consultant was met with surprise at the agency as it was interpreted as a violation of the law banning losing candidates from assuming any government post one year after the elections.