Duterte appointee quits after 4 days

Barely a week after he was sworn in by President Duterte as head of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Antonio Buendia tendered his resignation and vacated the office.

The development, which the Inquirer learned about on Friday night, was announced to CAAP personnel by Transportation Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Roberto Lim during the flag-raising ceremony on Aug. 22.

Lim did not give a reason for Buendia’s resignation on Aug. 19, just four days after President Duterte swore him in as CAAP director general in Malacañang.

CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio said Lim announced the designation of the agency’s deputy director for operations Jim Sydiongco as officer in charge until the President could name a replacement for Buendia.

Apolonio said Sydiongco’s post will be assumed by Manuel Antonio Tamayo, deputy director for administration.

Buendia was among Mr. Duterte’s first appointments.

He has 43 years of civil aviation experience, having been president of Asian Spirit and the Philippine Aerospace Development Corp., before the President tapped him to join the government.