PNoy names second cousin as Clark airport head

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III has appointed his cousin, Emigdio Tanjuatco III, as president and chief executive officer of the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC).

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte announced this on Monday during a televised press briefing in Malacañang. Aquino also named Tanjuatco, Alipio Fernandez Jr. and Ramil Guiao as members of the CIAC board of directors who would also serve until June 30, 2015.

Valte said the President also appointed Victor Jose Luciano as member of the Civil Aeronautics Board, under co-terminus status.

Briccio Santos was named as chairperson of the Film Development Council of the Philippines while Reginald Villasanta was appointed as undersecretary of the Office of the President.

Other new appointees were the following:

• Lea Delfinado - Director III, Department of Public Works and Highways
• Danilo Enriquez - Director IV, Department of Trade and Industry’s Bureau of Product Standards
• Gregorio Ramon Tingson - member representing the youth sector of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council
• Valeriano Lopez - Director IV of the Department of Health (DOH)
• Celia Carlos - acting Director III, DOH
• Ruby Constantino -  acting Director III, DOH

The STAR first reported the looming appointment of Tanjuatco as CIAC head. In the report, the vice president and founder of the Move Clark Now Movement that pushed for the development of Clark airport expressed reservations on Tanjuatco's appointment.

"Does he have the contacts in the aviation industry, the goodwill among airlines, the understanding of the ins and outs in the aviation world?" asked Alex Cauguiran, a former CIAC executive.

"Running the Clark airport is a matter we have taken very seriously. On it we have rested our hopes for better lives and the future of our children. We cannot allow it to be taken for granted," he added.

The new CIAC president is the son of former Rizal congressman Egmidio Sumulong-Tanjuatco, a first cousin of the late President Corazon Aquino on her mother’s side.

READ: Noy’s second cousin to head Clark airport