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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Ombudsman orders preventive suspension of Mactan-Cebu airport exec

Ombudsman orders preventive suspension of Mactan-Cebu airport exec

Published Dec 17, 2020 12:01 pm

Ombudsman Samuel Martires has ordered the preventive suspension of Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) General Manager Steve Dicdican for reportedly allowing foreigners to manage the airport even though the authority to do so belongs to Filipino citizens.

(MANILA BULLETIN)

Dicdican has been ordered suspended for six months without pay in order to prevent any possible tampering of evidence, harassment of witnesses, or interference. He is likewise prohibited from entering his office throughout the duration of his suspension.

On April 2014, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and MCIAA awarded MCIA's management and operation to GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation (GMCAC) under a 25-year concession for P14.4 billion.

The concession was for the expansion and operation of the MCIA. However, the complainants said that GMCAC's actions went beyond the terms and coverage of the concession and the MCIA was operated and managed by foreign nationals.

The complaint stated that Andrew Acquaah-Harrison, currently Chief Executive Advisor of GMCAC, performed managerial and executive functions at MCIA with Dicdican's knowledge and consent.

The complainant also alleged that Dicdican similarly allowed GMCAC Chief Operations Officer Michael Lenane and Chief Commercial Advisor Ravishankar Saravu to exercise managerial functions at MCIA.

"Instead of reporting these irregularities to the MCIA Board, Dicdican turned a blind eye and knowingly aided, assisted or abetted these foreign officers/employees of GMCAC in the perpetration of the acts penalized by the Anti-Dummy Law," the order read.

"His acts likewise constitute a violation of the Anti-Graft Law, since he gave unwarranted benefits to these foreign nationals and effectively caused undue injury to the government," it added.

As the General Manager of the MCIA, the Ombudsman said it is Dicdican's duty to direct and supervise the daily activities of the airport. Since he failed to report the violations committed by the foreign nationals, Martires said it implies his consent to the violations.

Should Dicdican be found guilty of Grave Misconduct as well as Gross Neglect of Duty, it would warrant his removal from the service.

Martires signed the order on December 16. DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade has been furnished a copy of the order for immediate implementation.

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