Manila, Dec. 19 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has appointed former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Nicolas Torre III as general manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Malacanang announced Friday.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro confirmed Torre's appointment to Palace reporters.

Torre replaces Procopio Lipana.

The MMDA is mandated to plan, supervise, regulate, and implement policies, programs, and projects that address metro-wide concerns in Metro Manila, in coordination with local government units.

Torre previously served as PNP chief but was relieved of his post in August this year after refusing to comply with a National Police Commission order directing the reversal of the reassignment of ...