Marcos: NIA operations won’t be disrupted despite suspension of Antiporda

Benny Antiporda INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday assured the public that operations at the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) would continue without interruption despite the suspension of its chief, Benny Antiporda.

“No. There are enough people there in the NIA who know what to do. In fact, I’m meeting them after this. So, make sure that ‘yung function ng NIA ay tuloy-tuloy,” he told reporters in an interview when asked if Antiporda’s suspension will affect the agency’s functions.

(I am meeting them after this to make sure that the NIA’s function will continue.)

Antiporda was put under preventive suspension by the Office of the Ombudsman due to complaints by NIA employees who accused him of grave misconduct, harassment, and oppression.

Antiporda would remain suspended for six months without pay while under investigation.

READ: NIA chief suspended due to misconduct, other complaints by workers

The President said the government must “find out what happened to Benny.” He said he asked officials to explain what happened.

“We have to find out what happened to Benny, see what is the situation there, why Ombudsman Martires suspended him. So it happened all when I was away,” Marcos said.

“So I’ve asked them to give me the background on what happened. But the function of the NIA is – does not – is not going to change,” he added.

KGA/abc