NBI looks into fake Subic appointment

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—The National Bureau of Investigation has begun investigating the fake appointment papers of a supposed appointee of President Benigno Aquino to the top post of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

Ricardo Diaz, NBI Central Luzon director, said the investigation of the controversy surrounding the fake appointment of businessman Michael Macapagal as SBMA administrator started on Monday through an order from the Department of Justice.

“Secretary Leila de Lima directed us to look into this. She had been asked to do this by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. They want to know if there’s anyone in Malacañang [involved in the production] of the appointment papers of Macapagal,” he said.

The supposed appointment of Macapagal as administrator had created confusion in the free port because SBMA Chair Roberto Garcia had been appointed to and had been holding the same position in a concurrent capacity since November.

Diaz said the NBI had tried but failed to reach Macapagal so he could be questioned by investigators.

“He appears to be unwilling to cooperate with the NBI,” he said.

Diaz said Armin Santos, said to be Macapagal’s transition team head, had denied to the NBI that he had a copy of Macapagal’s appointment paper and that he showed it to others.

Santos earlier showed to the Inquirer a photocopy of Macapagal’s appointment paper in his office in Aura College here on Feb. 21. He said he could not present an original copy because Macapagal was keeping it.

When asked about the authenticity of the appointment paper, Santos said: “Why would Malacañang issue something that was fake?” The Inquirer tried to get Macapagal’s comment on the NBI investigation, but he declined to answer anything related to the appointment paper.

It was Macapagal who sent this correspondent a text message, asking him to see Santos on Feb. 21 so he could see a copy of the appointment paper. Macapagal sent a text message to the Inquirer on Wednesday to reiterate his support for Mr. Aquino.

“I reiterate my loyalty and support for the administration of P-Noy. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Mr. Garcia’s standing is that of a director and nothing more. Without an official paper addressed to him (Garcia), personally naming him as administrator, and not in concurrent or temporary capacity, the matter of the Subic leadership is an unfinished business,” he said.

But Garcia had told Inquirer that President Aquino himself called him up to clarify the appointment issue. “Mr. Aquino assured me of [my appointment]. He also said that he had already asked Ochoa to direct the NBI to investigate this,” Garcia said. Robert Gonzaga, Inquirer Central Luzon