CHAIRMAN Francis Tolentino of the Metro Manila Development Authority on Tuesday relieved general manager Robert Nacianceno, a holdover from the Arroyo administration, and ordered legal services chief Rochelle Macapili to replace him. “I was shocked to learn about my appointment,” Rochelle told the Manila Standard.
“I don’t know why the chairman chose me. Maybe I have done something right for the agency.”
Nacianceno began his career at the MMDA, then the Metro Manila Commission, in 1986, and as commissioner for finance. He finished business management at the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City, and then took up a few master of arts units in business administration. The Polytechnic University of the Philippines gave him an honorary doctorate in 2010.
Macapili finished biology at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynilad and received her law degree at the Manuel Luis Quezon University in 2004.
“I was a working student at the Manila City Hall under the Youth Bureau during the time of former Mayor Lito Atienza,” Macapili said.
“I also worked in Congress and in a private law office before entering the MMDA in 2007.”
Tolentino on Tuesday also replaced assistant general manager for finance and administration Edenison Fainsan with Noemi Ilagan, his deputy director. Ilagan, a Bar passer, graduated from the Far Eastern University and has been with the Authority for 33 years.
Emerson Carlos took over the office of the assistant general manager for operations previously led by Corazon Cruz. He finished law at the University of Santo Tomas and was a law practitioner for 18 years before he joined the Authority this year.
Cristina Velasco replaced Cruz as assistant general manager for planning. Velasco, the chairman’s spokesman, finished her masters in development management from the Asian Institute of Management in 2010. She has worked in the private sector as a marketing professional for 23 years.
I was taken aback by my appointment,” Velasco told Manila Standard.
Rio Araja, Manila Standard Today
