More business groups seek reinstatement of MIAA officials

MANILA, Philippines — Business groups Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport) and the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) are urging the ombudsman to reverse its decision on the dismissal of the top executives of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), noting their contributions to improve the airport.

In an interview yesterday, PCCI president George Barcelon expressed support for dismissed MIAA top executives, general manager Cesar Chiong and acting assistant general manager for finance and administration Irene Montalbo.

“It should be reversed. Look at it objectively. I”m sure in the transferring of employees, they saw areas that can be improved,” said Barcelon, who is also a Philexport chairman and trustee for footwear, leather and travel goods sector and ECOP vice president.

“The airport is a function of the government and efficiency, I think, is top of mind not only for our foreign visitors but especially for our people.  As I said, for example, for foreign travelers, their first touch base is the airport. If the airport is well-run and well managed, that is reflective of what they can expect to be in the country,” Barcelon said.

In a 21-page decision on Aug. 4, Ombudsman Samuel Martires found Chiong and Montalbo guilty of administrative offenses.

The ombudsman said that Chiong had “whimsically” reassigned 285 employees without any valid reason to divisions they have no expertise in or positions lower than what they previously occupied.

It added that Chiong also promoted Montalbo despite her unsatisfactory rating in the 2020 Office Performance Commitment and Review.

Last week, nine business groups urged the ombudsman to reverse its decision on the dismissal of Chiong and Montalbo.

The signatories of the joint statement are the Makati Business Club, Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen & Professionals, Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry Inc., Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines, Integrity Initiative, Justice Reform Initiative, the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation Inc. and the Philippine Hotel Owners Association.

“We would welcome and support a review by the ombudsman, to reverse this decision and reinstate Chiong and Montalbo in their positions as general manager and assistant general manager,” the business groups said.

The business groups emphasized that both Chiong and Montalbo have exhibited exemplary work as managers of the airport as they have made substantial positive changes and have helped achieve a robust cash balance of P15 billion.

In addition, they reported an impressive income of P1.9 billion in 2022, a turnaround from the combined losses of P3.6 billion suffered in 2020 and 2021, the business groups stressed.

The business groups cited Chiong’s statement that he exercised his management prerogative to streamline operations, reduce losses and improve finances.

They stressed that dismissing Chiong and Montalbo for implementing what is a normal management practice may discourage other officials from employing this important tool to improve efficiency and fight corruption.

“It may send the wrong message that instituting reforms in government is hazardous to one’s career,” the groups said.

Meanwhile, in a separate statement, 90 members of the business community also expressed deep concern and alarm over the unusual speed at which the ombudsman acted upon the case.

“This very unusual and surprising speedy treatment of the aforementioned anonymous complaint is in stark contrast to the snail’s pace at which other recent multi-billion, high-profile, graft and corruption cases are handled,” the members of the business community said.