MANILA- (UPDATE) President Rodrigo Duterte has fired another assistant secretary, this time for talking to a relative of the chief executive.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte fired Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary Mark Tolentino.

Roque did not reveal what Tolentino supposedly asked from the sister of the President. “Ang order ng Presidente sa lahat ng taong gobyerno, huwag kakausapin ang kamag-anak niya,” he said.

Tolentino, who is the DOTr’s assistant secretary for railways, earlier hinted at supposed attempts to delay the Mindanao railway project.

• Transport exec bares alleged attempts to delay Mindanao railway project

Other DOTr officials, however, disputed Tolentino’s allegation.

In a statement, the transportation department said it welcomes and "strongly supports" the President's decision to remove Tolentino.

"The Department of Transportation welcomes and strongly supports the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte to terminate the services of Atty. Mark Tolentino as Assistant Secretary for Railways due to questionable dealings and unfairly involving the first family with matters regarding the Mindanao Railway Project," it said.

"Namedropping and seeking the assistance of the President, his family, or any other influential individual, either for government projects or for personal gain, will never be tolerated," it added.

The DOTr also assured the public that the Mindanao railway project is "on track" and vowed that its first phase will be completed in 2021.