Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Nicolas Torre III clarified on Thursday that he did not sign anything and did not submit an optional retirement.
Torre made the clarification following reports that the National Police Commission (Napolcom) approved his optional retirement.
“I’m going to clear it up with my organization. I’ll talk to my bosses first,” he said, adding the issue only came out in the media.
“My positions since full colonel are all presidential directives. I am a presidential appointee and I’ll just wait for the order of the President regarding this matter. The President has provided guidance. There is much more that I need to discuss with my organization.”
Initial reports indicated that the acting chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., is expected to be promoted to a four-star rank next week, following the ‘official retirement’ of his predecessor, Torre.
Currently, Nartatez serves as a three-star general in the highest police position in an acting capacity.
The reports also said Torre is now classified as retired within the PNP after accepting his new role as the general manager of the MMDA. Furthermore, it was mentioned that Torre was regarded as “optionally retired” as of December 26, 2025 based on the approval from Napolcom.
With this approval, Nartatez is set to become the PNP’s permanent chief upon his elevation to the rank of four-star general.
Only one official is allowed to hold a four-star rank in the PNP.
As general manager, Torre takes overall charge of the day-to-day operations of the MMDA under his direct supervision and guidance. He will lead initiatives related to public safety, flood control, traffic management, and solid waste management in the National Capital Region.
Torre was also tasked to personally lead traffic management and enforcement efforts as well as clearing operations on major roads and waterways.
The former PNP chief vowed to ensure the implementation of the three ‘Es’ of traffic management: engineering, education, and enforcement, with the cooperation of stakeholders, to create a safer and more efficient traffic flow in major roads under the jurisdiction of the MMDA.
