SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — Barely a year after taking over as head of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and just days after making his first State of the Freeport Address (SOFA), former Olongapo City mayor Rolen Paulino Sr. resigned from service.

In a statement issued on April 4, Paulino said he has tendered his courtesy resignation effective April 15 in deference to President Marcos.

Malacañang has not formally announced any impending shakeup in the SBMA, aside from appointing two new members of the Board of Directors recently, but rumors about naming a successor to Paulino, who was appointed by then President Rodrigo Duterte on March 1, 2022, had persistently surfaced since late last year.

Prior to issuing a statement, Paulino had made an emotional farewell to SBMA employees during the flag-lowering ceremony at the SBMA head office on March 31, just three days after reporting a “banner year” for the SBMA in his SOFA.

In his statement, Paulino said he will give way to Malacañang’s wishes despite having previously received a six-year appointment as head of the Subic agency.

“I have formally tendered my courtesy resignation as chairman and administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, effective April 15, 2023, to give the President a free hand to choose who he deems best to steer the SBMA and Subic Bay Freeport Zone to greater heights in terms of management and new business opportunities,” Paulino said.

“Despite having a fixed term of six years as provided in Republic Act 7227 or the Bases Conversion Development Act, I shall adhere to instructions from the Office of the President as an obedient soldier and dedicated public servant. I trust the good judgement of the President as he knows better,” he added.

Paulino said his has been “a challenging yet fulfilling journey” as SBMA head, as the it came right when the country was just graduating from the onslaught of the Covid19 pandemic.

“However, with the support of employees and stakeholders of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, coupled with the ‘fast, friendly and flexible’ business motto which I have implemented to help locators get back on their feet, the SBFZ is now fast and firmly on the road to recovery and economic upturn” he also said.

“My dedication and passion to serve the country does not end here. I will always be of service to the public even in my capacity as a simple citizen of the Republic of the Philippines,” he concluded.

Paulino replaced former SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma, who was appointed director at the state-owned Development Bank of the Philippines on the same day that Paulino took over SBMA. 