By GENALYN D. KABILING
President Duterte has sacked a Department of Transportation official for reaching out to one of his siblings over a government transaction, Malacañang said yesterday.
A day after Duterte warned about the imminent dismissal of five government officials for alleged corruption, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque announced the termination of DoTr Assistant Secretary Mark Tolentino.
“The President has terminated the services of Assistant Secretary Mark Tolentino for having dealings with a presidential relative – a sister,” Roque said in a Palace press briefing.
“Ginamit ni Asec Tolentino ang First Family in justifying the Mindanao rail project but the immediate reason for his termination is he had dealings with the presidential sister,” he added.
Roque said Tolentino’s removal should serve as a warning to other government officials against seeking favors or influence from the President’s relatives to facilitate government projects, appointments, and other transactions.
He said talking to the President’s relatives was enough basis for termination of services. “Ang kasalanan ni Asec Tolentino siya ang nakipag-usap sa isang kamag-anak ng Presidente,” Roque said.
Roque maintained that the President is serious in his policy against using his relatives to influence government transactions. “Do not even talk to them about any matter concerning government. You will get sacked if you do,” he said.
“And the reminder of the President is no one in government should entertain any relative or the President in connection with any matter that has to do with government,” he added.
Tolentino has accused some transport officials of supposedly derailing the Mindanao railway project to consider possible foreign funding for the project.
He reportedly claimed he was only accountable to the President and got the blessing of members of the First Family.
Some transport executives have denied Tolentino’s allegations and criticized his arrogance for namedropping the President and his family.
Apart from Tolentino, Roque said another government official is expected to tender his resignation letter today.
“There will be a resignation of one of those whom the President would have terminated would be resigning tomorrow. We will release his resignation letter tomorrow,” he said.
