OFFICE for Transportation Security Administrator Ma. O Aplasca has tendered his courtesy resignation after Speaker Martin Romualdez demanded his departure after a screening officer was caught on video swallowing cash stolen from a foreign passenger. 

Both Aplasca and Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista confirmed the development to the media on Tuesday. 

On Monday, Romualdez threatened to block the passage of the OTS’ proposed budget for 2024 if Aplasca would not submit his courtesy resignation before the House plenary tackles the agency’s spending plan. 

Several theft cases happened at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in the past few months, usually involving foreigners.

On September 8, a female security screening officer swallowed $300 in cash that was allegedly taken from a Chinese passenger’s handbag, based on CCTV footage.

The employee denied the allegation and said she swallowed chocolate instead.

Bautista had already directed the filing of necessary charges against the security screening personnel and those determined to have connived in stealing from the Chinese passenger.