GMA appointments trigger confusion at Bataan Freeport

MANILA, Philippines – Employees of the Bataan Economic Zone appealed yesterday to President Aquino to review the midnight appointments of the chairman and board members of the newly created Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) in Mariveles town which they claimed hastily took over the freeport a day before President Aquino assumed his post on June 30.  

Raul Soldevilla, president of the Philippine Economic Zone Employees Association told reporters during the broadcasters’ forum in Hotel Rembrandt that on June 29, a day before Aquino took his oath, the newly appointed chairman and board of the AFAB who were among the alleged midnight appointees took over the administration of BEZ and created chaos among investors and employees in the freeport zone.

AFAB was created by virtue of Republic Act 9728 which was passed and approved in October last year.

Soldevilla claimed that former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo allegedly railroaded the creation of the AFAB by appointing a chairman and board members by issuing implementing rules and regulations, which they claimed, aimed to confuse the incoming administration.

He said long time employees of the BEZ were told that they are no longer employees of the PEZA but they are employees of AFAB. The takeover has affected the operations with workers and investors in the area.

“This situation is in violation of the fundamental rights of workers,” he said.

Soldevilla said the employees numbering to 60 are still in quandary as to who would shoulder their separation pay in case they decide to resign or retire since the implementing rules and regulations issued by AFAB do not merit the PEZA authority, position and payment of benefits to the affected workers.