Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Benhur Abalos announced on Monday, Feb. 7, his resignation in order to focus on assisting former senator Bongbong Marcos as the campaign period for national candidates start on Tuesday, Feb 8.
In a press briefing, Abalos said he had already forwarded his resignation to President Duterte.
"With utmost gratitude, I respectfully tender my resignation effective the end of business hours of February 7," an excerpt of the resignation letter which Abalos read.
"The campaign period is fast approaching and I would need to devote my time to senator Bongbong Marcos campaign as his national campaign manager," he added.
Abalos said he believes be did all his best to help contain the spread of the virus.
He said that with the COVID protocols still in place, the country, especially Metro Manila, will be fit to deal with COVID-related challenges.
“Sa aking mga kababayan ako po ay tauspusong nagpapasalamat sa ating presidente sa lahat ng mga alkalde sa kalakalang maynila sa lahat ng cabinet secretaries, sa Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) sa lahat ng nakasama ko. Tapos na po siguro ang COVID, Benhur Abalos is signing off as MMDA chairman (Thank you very much to my fellow Filipinos, to our president and to all Metro Manila mayors. I also thank all the cabinet secretaries, the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF). The end of COVID might be near, Benhur Abalos is now signing off as MMDA chairman,” Abalos said.