Malacañang on Thursday said there is no conflict surrounding the appointment of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority General Manager Nicolas Torre III, noting that the issue stemmed from a misunderstanding over his police retirement status.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said Torre will proceed with his optional retirement from the Philippine National Police and will receive full benefits equivalent to his four-star rank.
She added that Torre has agreed to relinquish his four-star rank, which will be transferred to PNP Deputy Chief for Administration Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez.
“Accepted po niya iyon,” Castro said. “Dahil tinanggap niya ang posisyon, alam naman niya kung ano ang maaaring mangyari.”
(Torre accepted it. Because he accepted the position, he already knows what might happen.)
Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. validly appointed Torre to the MMDA post and that the former police official is actively performing his duties.
“We spoke directly with General Torre, and it turned out to be just a misunderstanding,” Castro said.
Torre, a former top police official, was appointed to lead the MMDA as part of the administration’s efforts to strengthen traffic management and metropolitan governance.
Initial reports indicated that the acting chief of the Philippine National Police, 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.
Only one official is allowed to hold a four-star rank in the PNP.
