SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Monday demanded the resignation of Office of Transport Security Mao Aplasca for failing to stop repeated nefarious activities by security personnel at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
“I am advising the OTS chief: submit your courtesy resignation before the House of Representatives tackle the budget of your office,” Speaker Romualdez said.
“Mag-resign ka na. Kung hindi ka magsa-submit ng resignation, ako mismo ang magba-block ng approval ng budget ng OTS,” he said.
The House leader aired his frustration on Aplasca in the wake of reports of the latest incidence of theft of money by a female OTS security scanner from a departing tourist.
He said the OTS chief should submit his courtesy resignation under the principle of command responsibility to make way for full revamp at the airport security office.
“Naka-strike three na ang OTS chief. We are already fed up with these reports of stealing and other acts of wrongdoing at the airport, for which OTS officials and their DOTr supervisors are ultimately responsible. A top-to-bottom overhaul is needed,” he said.
“We cannot let these atrocious activities and other acts of misconduct at the airport to continue to take place. It’s bad for the country and the economy,” he said.
The Speaker pointed out that a foreigner – whether he is a tourist or a potential investor – gets his first exposure to the Philippines and its people when he encounters a government employee who processes him at the port of entry.
“An ugly incident will certainly leave a discouraging and lasting impression. This is the reason why we should deploy the finest personnel at ports of entry,” he added.
In March this year, when money was stolen from a Thai tourist at NAIA, the leader of the 311-member House of Representatives already recommended a complete revamp of OTS.
He even suggested that the DOTr replace the entire OTS workforce and rehire only those who would pass a strict vetting process based on their honesty, efficiency and integrity.
OTS and responsible DOTr officials committed to undertake sweeping reforms.
“What have happened to those commitments? Where are the reforms?” Speaker Romualdez asked.
He said DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista should closely watch his own backyard.
“Every now and then, we hear of nefarious activities, aviation glitches, power equipment malfunctions and disruptions, and similar nasty things taking place at the airport. There may be people sabotaging him,” he said.
