Office of Transportation Security (OTS) Administrator Mao Aplasca has submitted his resignation, confirmed Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista on Tuesday night. Bautista stated that he received Aplasca’s resignation letter and it will be submitted to the President, as Aplasca is a presidential appointee. Bautista also mentioned that Aplasca expressed sadness about his decision to resign.
Bautista made this announcement during a chance interview at the House of Representatives in Batasan Complex, Quezon City, where he was attending plenary debates on the DOTr’s proposed budget for 2024. The resignation comes after House Speaker Martin Romualdez issued a statement on Monday, demanding Aplasca’s immediate resignation due to the embarrassing conduct of some OTS personnel at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Romualdez warned that if Aplasca refuses to resign, he personally plans to block the OTS budget during the ongoing deliberations on the proposed national budget for 2024, known as the P5.768-trillion General Appropriations Bill (GAB). The urgency to resolve the situation is heightened since the House aims to approve the GAB on its third and final reading on Wednesday, September 27.
Bautista clarified that he was not at his office when Aplasca submitted his resignation, as he was at the Senate. However, they had earlier discussions where Aplasca expressed his intention to resign. Bautista emphasized the responsibilities of public officials and mentioned that Aplasca’s deputy could be temporarily appointed.
In light of the OTS personnel’s misconduct, which includes stealing money from foreigners at NAIA, Romualdez expressed concern about the negative image it portrays for Filipinos.
