Leila De Lima Sends Prayers to Nicolas Torre as the New MMDA Chief
LEILA DE LIMA — The former lawmaker congratulated Nicolas Torre III after he was appointed as the new General Manager of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA). The appointment was confirmed by Malacañang and marks a new stage in Torre’s career in public service.
In a recent Facebook post, De Lima shared her support and kind wishes, hoping for Torre’s success and offering prayers as he begins his new duties. Her message showed respect and optimism, expressing confidence that Torre would do well in his new position. Torre later responded by thanking her for the message.
Torre’s appointment comes months after he was removed as chief of the Philippine National Police, which was announced in August. At that time, a memorandum from Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin instructed him to properly turn over his duties. While no details were shared then, the Palace confirmed that he would be given another role in government.
Torre built his career by steadily rising through the ranks of the Philippine National Police after graduating from the Philippine National Police Academy in 1993. Over more than 30 years, he held several key positions, including provincial police director in Batangas, Pampanga, and Samar; district director of the Quezon City Police District; regional director in Davao Region; and head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. He became known for pushing firm law enforcement policies, calling for faster police response times, and leading sensitive operations involving powerful individuals.
In June 2025, President Bongbong Marcos appointed Torre as the 31st PNP Chief, making him the first academy graduate to hold the post. As chief, he launched a nationwide five-minute police response policy and stressed the importance of respecting human rights. However, his term lasted only about 85 days, the shortest in PNP history. In August 2025, he was removed from office after the National Police Commission ordered changes to disputed personnel assignments, which caused tension within the police leadership.
Related Post: From PNP Chief to MMDA Boss: Nicolas Torre Appointed to Lead Metro Manila