MMDA General Manager Nicolas Torre III on Monday said it was still too early to consider a possible run for national office in 2028, stressing that his priority is proving he can deliver results in governance after spending most of his career in law enforcement.
In a television interview, Torre avoided directly addressing questions about his political ambitions, saying his current focus is on assessing whether he can effectively lead a civilian government agency.
“Sa ngayon naman, nagpa-practice lang tayo rito sa MMDA. Tinitingnan ko sa sarili ko if I’m capable of doing something else.”
The former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief acknowledged that critics have often questioned whether his background in policing adequately prepared him for broader responsibilities in government.
“Palaging kini-criticize sa akin dahil pulis nga lang naman man ako. Anong alam ko sa national government? Yan ang sinasabi nila.”
According to Torre, his leadership of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has become a personal measure of whether he can succeed in governance and public service beyond his experience in law enforcement.
“I’m trying to see if I can really hack it na itong governance, gaya sa atin nga sa MMDA. We want to make sure that kapag may tumawag, may sasagot. Pag may sumagot, may darating na tao. Pag may dumating na tao, may ibibigay na tulong.”
He pointed to the agency’s 136 hotline as one of the key services he hopes to strengthen and institutionalize to ensure faster and more reliable public assistance.
Torre said he would not entertain thoughts of seeking higher office unless he could first demonstrate concrete achievements in his current post.
“Kung itong 136 nga lang, hindi ko mapagana, how can I even dare to dream?”
The MMDA official also shared advice he once received from the late comedian and actor , which he said continues to influence his perspective on public service and politics.
“‘Madaling tumakbo, paano na kapag manalo?’ Yan ang sabi ni Dolphy.”
Torre, a retired police general, gained national attention after leading operations that resulted in the arrest of KOJC founder Apollo Quiboloy and later assisting in the implementation of the International Criminal Court arrest warrant against former President .