‘Reeks of politics, ill-timed’: Drilon slams proposal to rename NAIA

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City. INQUIRER PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES

MANILA, Philippines — Former Senator Franklin Drilon criticized Wednesday the proposal to rename the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), saying the bill “reeks of politics” and is “ill-timed.”

Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves has filed House Bill No. 610 seeking to rename NAIA after former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., the father, and namesake of the incumbent chief executive.

According to Drilon, there are more important issues that the 19th Congress should address.

“I would like to believe that the incoming 19th Congress has more urgent things to do than to rename an airport, such as how to arrest inflation and address the surging oil prices,” he said in a statement.

The former senator hoped that members of Congress will prioritize legislation that can boost the economy, strengthen the healthcare system, and save the education system from its “terrible state.”

“This should be the main priority of this administration and the 19th Congress along with reviving the economy and addressing inflation, not renaming NAIA,” he urged.

For Drilon, the measure will not bode well with the call for unity of the current administration under Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“There is no compelling reason to change the name of NAIA. Any proposal to rename NAIA will always be seen as political and divisive,” the former legislator said.

“This obvious attempt for ingratiation is actually disfavoring to President Marcos Jr. It will not augur well with the call for unity of the Marcos administration. Leave NAIA alone,” he added.

Based on a report from the World Bank released last year, nine out of 10 Filipino students aged 10 cannot read.

Meanwhile, the country’s inflation in June hit a three-year high of 6.1 percent, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported on Tuesday.

JMS