You probably think you know the type. A high-ranking police official, a "law and order" guy, suddenly pivots into the messy world of Metro Manila traffic and flood control. When President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. appointed Marcos de la Torre—better known to many by his full name, Nicolas Torre III—as the General Manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in late 2025, the collective "huh?" from the public was audible.
It felt like a strange lateral move. Or maybe a consolation prize?
But if you look at the timeline of 2025, the story of Marcos de la Torre isn't just about a career change. It’s a story about political survival, high-stakes arrests, and a president who clearly didn't want to lose a specific kind of "enforcer" even when the bureaucracy pushed back.
The Man Who Arrested a President
To understand why Marcos de la Torre is at the MMDA today, in January 2026, you have to look back at March 2025. That was the month the Philippines shook. As the then-Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Torre did what many thought was impossible: he led the team that arrested former President Rodrigo Duterte.
It wasn't some quiet, backdoor deal. It was chaotic. It happened at Manila’s international airport. Duterte was handed over to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to face those long-standing charges regarding his "war on drugs."
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Torre didn't stop there. He also went after Apollo Quiboloy, the televangelist on the FBI’s most-wanted list. Essentially, Torre spent the first half of 2025 making the most powerful enemies a person can make in the Philippines.
He was efficient. He was relentless. And then, suddenly, he was out.
Why the Palace Fired Him (and then Re-hired Him)
By August 2025, the news cycle flipped. President Marcos Jr. relieved Torre of his duties as PNP Chief. On paper, it looked like a fall from grace. There were "administrative disagreements." Specifically, Torre had tried to clean house by reassigning over a dozen senior officers, including his own second-in-command. The National Police Commission (Napolcom) hated it. They blocked the move.
The drama was real. Some called it a "messy" transition.
But here’s the thing: President Marcos never actually turned his back on him. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla kept telling the press that the President "still believes in his capacity." You don't say that about someone you're actually ditching.
The appointment to the MMDA in December 2025 was the second act. It was a strategic repositioning. By placing Marcos de la Torre at the helm of MMDA operations, the administration kept a loyal, high-pressure operator in a role that directly affects the daily lives of millions of voters in the National Capital Region.
The Five-Minute Rule and the New MMDA
If you’re stuck in traffic on EDSA right now, you might be wondering what a former cop can actually do. Honestly, his track record suggests he’s obsessed with response times.
During his brief three-month stint as PNP Chief, Torre pushed a "five-minute response time" for emergencies. He even built a high-tech "battle room" at Camp Crame to track police movement in real-time. Now, he’s trying to port that same logic to the MMDA.
What’s on his 2026 plate?
- Discipline for Traffic Enforcers: He’s already started an internal unit to investigate misconduct. No more "kotong" (extortion) if he has his way.
- Flood Control: This is the big one. He’s currently working with the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) to oversee the massive rehabilitation of Metro Manila's drainage systems.
- The "Battle Room" for Traffic: Expect a more aggressive use of CCTV and digital tracking to manage bottlenecks before they become gridlock.
Is he an urban planner? No. Is he an engineer? Definitely not.
But he is a guy who knows how to make people follow orders. In a city where traffic rules are often treated as "suggestions," that might be exactly why Marcos chose him.
Facing the Critics
Not everyone is buying the "super-manager" narrative. Groups like the Makabayan bloc have been vocal, suggesting that the shuffle between the PNP and the MMDA is proof of "widening cracks" in the Marcos administration. They argue that Torre’s removal from the PNP was a concession to pro-Duterte factions within the police force, and his MMDA role is just a way to keep him on the payroll.
There's also the question of his four-star rank. When he moved to the MMDA, there was a lot of legal back-and-forth about whether he could keep his status or if he had to officially retire from the police service.
It’s complicated. Politics in 2026 is never just about the job title.
How to Track His Progress
If you want to see if the "Torre Effect" is real, don't watch the news. Watch the streets.
Specifically, keep an eye on the EDSA rehabilitation projects. Torre was seen inspecting them personally just last week. He’s positioning himself as a "hands-on" leader who isn't afraid to get his shoes dirty in a construction zone.
Actionable Takeaways for Manileños
- Report Misconduct: With Torre’s new internal investigation unit, reporting "kotong" enforcers is actually likely to result in action right now. He needs a "win" to prove his leadership.
- Watch the Flood Projects: If you live in a flood-prone area, check the MMDA’s 2026 schedule for drainage desilting. Torre is reportedly syncing these directly with DPWH flood control budgets to avoid the usual "not my job" finger-pointing.
- Anticipate Stricter Enforcement: Expect fewer warnings and more tickets. The "enforcer" mindset doesn't go away just because the uniform changes.
The story of Marcos de la Torre is far from over. Whether he’s the "Wonder Brother" of the administration or just a convenient political tool, his influence over the pulse of Metro Manila is currently at an all-time high.
Check the MMDA's official portals or the Philippine News Agency for the latest directives on traffic rerouting under his management. The next six months will determine if a police general can actually fix a city’s broken heart—its infrastructure.