Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has appointed former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Nicolas Torre III as the new general manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), as announced by Malaca±ang on Friday. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro confirmed Torre's appointment to Palace reporters, marking a significant shift in leadership within the agency.

According to Philippines News Agency, Nicolas Torre III succeeds Procopio Lipana in this pivotal role. The MMDA is responsible for planning, supervising, regulating, and implementing policies, programs, and projects that address metro-wide concerns in Metro Manila, working in coordination with local government units to effectuate its mandate.

Torre's appointment to the MMDA comes after he was relieved from his position as PNP chief in August. His departure from the PNP was due to his refusal to comply with a National Police Commission order concerning the reassignment of senior police officials. Despite this, Torre's career is marked by extensive operational experience and a strong command background, with a focus on law enforcement reforms and public safety.

Before his tenure as PNP chief, Torre held numerous key leadership positions within the police organization. His roles spanned various regional and district commands, providing him with broad experience in urban security and inter-agency coordination. This diverse background is expected to contribute to his new responsibilities at the MMDA.