Office for Transportation Security (OTS) Administrator Mao Aplasca on Tuesday, September 26 tendered his courtesy resignation in response to House Speaker Martin Romualdez's call.
In a letter addressed to President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marocs Jr. through Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista, Aplasca said he quit "in view of the pronouncement" of Romualdez that he would "personally block the approval of the OTS and DOTr."
"I am not in any way ready to sacrifice my organization but I consider this as a noble undertaking for a greater interest," he added.
Aplasca, however, asserted that he did nothing wrong as the OTS administrator.
He said he had been waging an "honest campaign against corruption" in all airports across the country as part of his sacred duty as the OTS head.
"It is just unfortunate that we weed out the scalawags in our ranks, it will always draw media attention and tarnish the reputation of our country," the resigned OTS administrator said.
Apalasca then assured Marcos that the OTS employees would "not falter" in their commitment to cleanse the agency's ranks to deliver the promise of "a convenient, affordable, safe, and secured transportation system."
The House Speaker earlier demanded Aplasca to step down from his post as soon as possible due to his failure to prevent illegal activities by his employees at NAIA.
Earlier this month, a screening officer was caught swallowing a stolen $300 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) - Terminal 1.
In a statement, Romualdez advised him to submit his courtesy resignation before the House of Representatives deliberates the OTS budget for 2024 and warned that he would block the budget's approval if Aplasca does not submit his resignation.
