Abaya, Honrado face contempt raps over airport terminal fee

MANILA, Philippines - Representatives of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) asked a court yesterday to cite the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) in contempt for ordering the implementation of the integration of the airport terminal fee into the cost of an airline ticket despite a pending motion.

Lawyer Francisco de Guzman, who is representing the OFWs, asked Pasay Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Tingaraan Guiling to issue a show cause order against the DOTC and MIAA.

The petition was an offshoot of an announcement by Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) general manager Angel Honrado that the P550 airport terminal fee would be integrated into the cost of an airline ticket effective Feb. 1.

“The respondents (DOTC and MIAA) have clearly resorted to unethical pressure and delaying tactics. They filed various motions,” the petition said.

The DOTC and MIAA filed a motion for reconsideration and at the same time asked the judge to inhibit from the case.

De Guzman said the respondents wanted the case to be transferred to another judge who would hopefully rule favorably for them.

In a decision last Nov. 19, the court had ruled that the memorandum circular (MC) issued by Honrado lacks the proper legal implementation and is, hence, unenforceable.

“The court held and belied that MC-8 needs publication as mandated by law,” the court decision said.

The petitioners alleged that the DOTC and MIAA are bent on implementing the MC-8 on Feb. 1, in blatant defiance of the court resolution and in utter disregard of whatever ruling the court would issue on the pending motions.