Business groups told to respect dismissal of MIAA chief, assistant GM

Atty. Ariel Inton of the group Lawyers for Commuters Safety and Protection. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — A commuters’ group on Monday told business groups to respect the Office of the Ombudsman’s decision to dismiss from service former officials of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA).

The group made the pronouncement after the Makati Business Club (MBC) previously released a joint statement with other business groups urging the Ombudsman to review the dismissal of MIAA acting General Manager Cesar Chiong and acting Assistant General Manager Irene Montalbo.

In its decision, the Ombudsman found both officials liable for grave misconduct, grave abuse of authority, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

According to Lawyers for Commuters Safety and Protection in a statement, however, the MBC must not dip its hands on the decisions of the Ombudsman as it is not involved with the case.

“The Makati Business Club has no personality to the case,” said the group’s head Atty. Ariel Inton.

Inton explained that it is Chiong and Montalbo who should be appealing to the Office of the Ombudsman by way of filing a “Motion for Reconsideration” on its decision rather than the MBC.

Group urges Bautista to impose ‘iron fist’

Meanwhile, Inton urged Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista to impose an “iron fist” in handling the transport system, accusing him of being “too soft” in running the Department of Transportation (DOTr)

“As transport commuter advocates, we feel the pressure of his job. He (Bautista) should look to his subordinates to focus on their jobs,” Inton said.

The group head then said that the DOTr should be run by those coming from the land transportation system, and not like Bautista who came from the private sector.

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