It's expected!

The directive of newly minted Secretary Vivencio "Vince" Dizon for "all" the second-tier, holdover officials at the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to submit their "unqualified courtesy resignations" has been expected.

Yes, Virginia, in my exit interview with his predecessor, Jaime "JJB" Bautista, I anticipated this call for courtesy resignations, which is almost always the case as an aftermath of the changing of the guards.

For this chronicler, however, this is the first time I've encountered the word "unqualified" preceding "courtesy resignations." I just find it a bit of an oxymoron, as Oxford and Webster tell us that it means "without reservations," categorical, definite.

The DOTr has eight undersecretaries, 11 assistant secretaries, and several directors. Although, from what I heard along the bus alleys, a good number of them have civil service certificates and are Career Executive Service Officers (CESO).

Well, at least the new DOTr chief recognizes this, as his demand letter for "unqualified courtesy resignation" is "subject to pertinent civil service rules and regulations."

Now the guessing game and bets are on: who among them will be retained and who will be given the pink slip? Nope, Virginia, these second-tier DOTr officials, specifically those with CESO, are not shaken, as they've seen this every time there's a new person at the helm.

In his first press conference Tuesday, Mr. Vince admitted that he has yet to know who had submitted their respective resignations.

Curious, who has thrown in the towel?

Well, one of the lieutenants that JJB invited to his team who complied with the directive is one of my favorite government civil servants—Capt. Manuel Tamayo. "Skee" Tamayo, the director general (DG) of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

As I write this, Capt. Skee is in Tokyo on his last official foreign trip. But being away from the hustle and bustle of the looming reorganization in the DOTr did not prevent him, in any way, from complying with Mr. Vince's directive.

This icon in aviation circles fully understands that no one and nobody is indispensable. "I am coterminous with Sec. JJB. This will be my 4th retirement."

A graduate of the Philippine Air Force Flying School, Capt. Skee was the chief intelligence officer for the Presidential Security Group (PSG) and served as a presidential escort for President Corazon C. Aquino's visit to the USA before he joined Philippine Airlines (PAL), where he spent most of his memorable flying career.

He retired from the flag carrier after 28 years and was just enjoying his second retirement when his services were called in 2016 to steer CAAP. In 2022, when JJB assumed the helm of the DOTr, his service was again needed.

"It's a good time to leave. Positive, as we have accomplished a lot. CAAP is in the takeoff and climb phase," his text message further reads.

And as the wheels of the DOTr reorganization churn, Capt. Skee, a good lieutenant, assured that he "will provide the incoming administration's DG a proper transition." 

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