OTS chief’s resignation still needs Marcos’ approval – DOTr

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 27) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will still have to accept the resignation of Office for Transportation Security (OTS) Administrator Ma. O Aplasca since the latter is his appointee, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on Wednesday.

DOTr added that Aplasca’s resignation letter is still being processed for submission to Malacañang.

“It was addressed to the President. Being a presidential appointee, acceptance of his resignation will be up to the President,” the DOTr wrote in a statement.

If Marcos gives his go signal, the second highest ranking OTS official will become officer-in-charge, the department noted.

Based on the organizational structure posted on the OTS website, the second-in-command is the office’s deputy administrator Jose Briones Jr.

On Tuesday, Aplasca confirmed that he tendered his courtesy resignation after House Speaker Martin Romualdez called on him to step down from his post.

The call came in the wake of the alleged $300-dollar theft by a screening officer at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Aplasca earlier expressed surprise at Romualdez's call, saying he had "done nothing wrong" and that "corrupt officials should instead be asked to resign."