‘Pure harassment’

Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Edgardo Manda yesterday described as "pure harassment" the move of the Parañaque City government to auction off some of the equipment at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in its bid to secure payments over what it claimed was unpaid taxes the government agency owes to the city.

This developed as Manda also assured the public that operations at the NAIA will not be affected by the latest action of the city government to auction some vital equipment at the airport.

In a press briefing, Manda said that Parañaque City Mayor Joey Marquez did not even bother to inform him of their plan but instead opted to employ a harassment tactic "to force the agency into settling their tax deficiencies."

"This is pure and simple harassment," he stressed.

"I can say that the case is subjudice because the matter is still pending before the Supreme Court," he stressed.

He, however, said that he will not hesitate to defend the territorial integrity of the airport even as he also averred that he would like to settle the matter with the city government amicably.

"This matter concerns national interest and as a public servant. I believe that this is the paramount interest which should be considered first among all the other interests," he pointed out.

Manda said that what he is concerned now is to ensure that there is no disruption of airport operations. – Sheila Crisostomo, Rey Arquiza