Gov’t given more time to submit list of appraisers for NAIA-3

Citing delay caused by the recent killing of a lawyer at the Office of the Solicitor General handling the expropriation case of the mothballed Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA-3), the special commission tasked to determine the "just compensation" for the Philippine International Air Terminals Inc. (PIATCO) said it is giving the government more time to prepare its list of preferred appraisers.

Fiorello Estuar, spokesperson of the commission, said that they have considered the request made by the government to extend the deadline they’ve set for the submission of a list of appraisers government lawyers would recommend to the commission.

"The selection of appraisers is a critical step in finally resolving the issue of "just compensation." We both asked Piatco and the government to submit a list of their suggested appraisers," Estuar told The STAR.

He said Piatco has already submitted a list of appraisers but the government have yet to complete its list.

Judge Jesus Mupas of the Pasay City Regional Trial Court Branch 117 will give the final approval of the recommendation and determine how many should be appointed as appraisers.

The appointed appraisers will be required to submit a report within 60 days from the date of their appointment.

Estuar likewise admitted that the murder of Assistant Solicitor General Nestor Ballacillo has affected the timetable they have been following to resolve the issue of "just compensation" that Piatco could get from the government. — Rhodina Villanueva