Office of Transportation Security (OTS) chief Mao Aplasca was surprised on Tuesday by House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s demand for a courtesy resignation as soon as possible after the allegation of illegal activities by his employees at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
In a statement, Aplasca said that he had done nothing wrong but to cleanse their office with corrupt officials, saying that the corrupt officials should instead be asked to step down from their post.
On Monday, Romualdez wanted Aplasca to submit his resignation before Congress discussed the OTS budget for next year, giving a warning to block the budget approval if he did not quit.
Moreover, the OTS administrator added that he would not allow anyone to humiliate him and would give incorrect information, pointing out how unjust it is to the good OTS personnel who work hard to serve the public on a daily basis.
Aplasca said he is taking full responsibility for what the OTS does and fails to do, adding that he will tackle this matter with Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Baustista and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“I stand against this public humiliation for the sake of my family, who, in my more than 40 years serving this country, is hurting now more than ever over such insensitive, malicious, and personal attacks,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, Romualdez called out Aplasca to step down from his position due to the controversy involving a security officer who allegedly stole and swallowed $300 from a Chinese traveler.
