Published December 29, 2020, 4:50 PM
The Office of the Ombudsman has required the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to submit the status of the implementation of the preventive suspension order it earlier issued against an official of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA).
In a letter to Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, the Ombudsman noted that it has been receiving reports that MCIAA General Manager Steve Dicdican continues to work despite the order for his preventive suspension.
Ombudsman Samuel Martires ordered the preventive suspension of Dicdican earlier this month for reportedly allowing foreigners to manage the airport even though the authority to do so belongs to Filipino citizens.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
Dicdican has been ordered suspended for six months without pay in order to prevent any possible tampering of evidence, harassment of witnesses, or interference. He is likewise prohibited from entering his office throughout the duration of his suspension.
On April 2014, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and MCIAA awarded MCIA’s management and operation to GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation (GMCAC) under a 25-year concession for P14.4 billion.
The concession was for the expansion and operation of the MCIA. However, the complainants said that GMCAC’s actions went beyond the terms and coverage of the concession and the MCIA was operated and managed by foreign nationals.