Duterte picks Artes as new MMDA chief

MANILA – Lawyer Romando Artes, previously officer in charge (OIC) and general manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), has been appointed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte as the MMDA’s new chairperson.

In a Facebook post on Friday, the MMDA said Artes’ appointment was effective March 1, making him the official replacement of then chair Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. who resigned in February.

Artes thanked Duterte for his “trust and confidence” and assured that MMDA projects on traffic, solid waste, flood management, urban renewal, public safety, and Covid-19 vaccination will be “equally important”.

“It is an honor to be appointed as the MMDA Chairman. The agency has been my home for the past five years—from the term of the late Chairman Danilo Lim and later under Chairman Abalos,” Artes said.

Artes, who is also a certified public accountant, earlier served as the MMDA’s Assistant General Manager (AGM) for Finance and Administration in May 2017 and later as General Manager in November 2021.

Under his leadership as AGM for Finance, the Commission on Audit (COA) awarded an “unqualified opinion” to the MMDA in 2019 and again in 2021.

Artes has also led the MMDA’s Covid-19 committee — inoculating “almost all” of MMDA’s employees and immediate family as well as extending assistance to neighboring local government units in their vaccination drive.

Artes graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Commerce major in Accountancy in 1993 and obtained his Bachelor of Laws in 1998 from San Beda College.

Before serving under the MMDA, Artes worked as an accountant and lawyer in Biñan, Laguna, and as a consultant in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

He also served with the legislative branch of government as a political and legislative officer in the Senate and consultant in the House of Representatives.

Replacing Artes as the general manager is Undersecretary Frisco San Juan Jr., who concurrently serves as the agency’s deputy chairperson.

On February 7, Abalos announced his resignation as chief of the MMDA to serve as the national campaign manager of Presidential-aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

Abalos designated Artes as the MMDA’s OIC until a new chairperson is officially appointed by Malacañang.