Wednesday, September 03, 2008 Marina chief quits, wants to join private sector
UNDERSECRETARY Maria Elena Bautista of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) will temporarily act as Maritime Industry Authority administrator following the resignation of Vicente Suazo Jr.
In confirming his resignation, Suazo said it’s time to move on and go back to working in the private sector.
“That’s right, and I have no further comment,” Suazo said in a text message to Sun.Star Cebu when asked about his resignation.
But in an ABS-CBN TV Patrol report, Suazo admitted somebody called him to reverse the recommendation of the Marina board to temporarily lift the suspension of Sulpicio Lines Inc. (SLI) vessels for three months.
A team from Marina is conducting a concurrent investigation with the Board of Marine Inquiry against SLI following the June 21 sinking of the mv Princess of the Stars.
“I had my share of the call of duty and call of service. Henceforth, the call of obligation beckons to return that privilege where I can protect and preserve the time-honored tenets of public service. A number of those were accomplished with your help and encouragement. It has, however, now come to a close,” said Suazo.
He also believes he has accomplished most of the tasks given to him as head of the agency.
Suazo also expressed gratitude to all Marina officials and employees for their support and cooperation, in the almost four years he had served as their leader.
“Please accept my sincere gratitude for the support and cooperation you have so graciously extended to me during my stewardship of Marina all these years. It has always been a congenial experience and an enriching one…” he said.
The resignation took effect on Aug. 31. His term was set to end in July 2010.
Just last month, however, Suazo sent a text message to Sun.Star Cebu saying he was not thinking of resigning because he wanted to finish his seven-year term that began only two years ago.
The Marina Management Committee (Mancom) will be holding a meeting today for a turnover of command from Suazo to Bautista.
Meanwhile, the Alliance of Marina Employees is questioning the reported appointment of Bautista as officer-in-charge of the agency.
In a letter to President Arroyo, the group expressed their support for Suazo as they questioned the motive of Bautista in running after the Marina top post.
“We are happy working with our present Administrator, Mr. Vicente T. Suazo Jr...He is kind but firm,” the employees said in a statement. (EOB/Sunnex)
