Jose Art Tugade resigns as LTO chief due to differences with DOTr

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 22) — Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Jose Art Tugade stepped down from his post on Monday due to "differences" with the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

In a statement posted by the Presidential Communications Office, Tugade said there were "differences" in the methods of the DOTr and the LTO on how to "succeed in serving the public."

"For this reason, I am stepping down, so (Transportation) Sec. Jimmy Bautista will have the free hand to choose who he can work best with," Tugade said.

"I will continue to root for the LTO's success even as a private citizen, because I will always share in Sec. Bautista's belief that our offices can be a formidable force for good in our country," he added.

The LTO said Tugade's resignation will take effect on June 1.

His resignation comes amid the shortage of plastic cards for driver's license and the looming shortage of vehicle plates due to problems in the procurement process.

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Such issues must be the top priority of the new leadership, Sen Grace Poe said.

Poe, who chairs the Senate committee on public services, also said she trusts Bautista to be on "top of the situation."

"Whatever change in the LTO leadership should not compromise the current work of the agency and obligations to the public," she added.

The lawyer and businessman was appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Nov. 14 last year, replacing Teofilo Guadiz III.

Before taking the LTO chief post, he was the acting general manager of the Manila International Airport Authority.

He is the son of Arthur Tugade, who served as Transportation Secretary in the Duterte administration.