National Irrigation Administration Administrator Benny Antiporda, shown in this file photo holding a press conference on the impact of Typhoon Karding on dams in Quezon City on Sept. 26, 2022. (Photo from the Facebook account of the NIA)
MANILA, Philippines —Benny Antiporda, former acting administrator of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), felt crushed after getting the boot without any warning. He was dismayed by the insensitive manner he was dismissed.
Antiporda discovered his replacement through the media.
The news hit him like a sledgehammer. To his great distress, President Bongbong Marcos appointed former Piddig mayor Eddie Guillen to take over as head of the NIA in December.
READ: Marcos Jr. appoints ex-Ilocos Norte town mayor as NIA head, replacing Antiporda
“Just like our President, I am convinced that corruption is the bane of good and effective public service and should therefore be addressed decisively. It is unfortunate, however, that while fulfilling my commitments to the President, I was made a victim of injustice and intrigue and which I was made to pay thru my removal,” said Antiporda in a statement.
Antiporda said he fought corruption at NIA, but time wasn’t on his side. Despite not knowing who will replace him, the former NIA chief is still thankful for Marcos.
“I still thank President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for giving me the opportunity to serve his government, no matter how briefly. To set the record straight, the actions I took at NIA to fight the culture of corruption and lethargy there was with the clear imprimatur of the President during our meeting last August in Malacañang,” said Antiporda.
The former NIA chief faced allegations of abuse of power in November, which led to the Office of the Ombudsman suspending him for six months without pay. He has denied all accusations against him and called them “misleading”.