‘Tan forced out as SBMA admin’

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed on Friday Eduardo L. Aliño as Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority chairman and administrator, replacing Jonathan Tan.

Tan was in office at SBMA for barely eight months.

A businessman, chairperson of the Subic Yatch Club and owner of the Subic Bay Grains terminal, Aliño will assume the top SBMA on Monday.

The departure of Tan has surprised many as he is reportedly close to President Marcos.

A source privy to happenings at SBMA said that Tan earned the ire of players in the community, including truckers.

His relief also comes as Senator Imee Marcos railed against a report that gallons of oil from a US Navy depot in Hawaii was awaiting unloading at SBMA in “secrecy.”

“They helped each other including truckers to oust Tan due to his overly strict policy,” the source said.

Tan was earlier reported to have resigned from his post for reasons not made known.

But the source said Tan was pressured into leaving by business and local leaders.

“Instead of being placed in danger, he has left instead,” added the source who asked that his identity be withheld.